Shutdown: Texas Democrats prod Sen. Ted Cruz and other Texas Republicans

[TexasTowelie]

Texas Democrats in Congress, led by Houston Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, call on Texas Republicans to help reopen the government. From left: Reps. Beto O'Rourke of El Paso, Al Green of Houston, Marc Veasey of Fort Worth, Jackson Lee, Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, Pete Gallego of Alpine, and Gene Green of Houston. (staff/Emily Wilkins)

WASHINGTON – Texas Republicans have been star players in the federal budget showdown. On Thursday, Texas Democrats sought to shame them into returning to a bygone era of cooperation – in particular, Sen. Ted Cruz, a prime mover behind demands to block any budget that funds Obamacare.

“If you’re going to lead, you have to know where you’re going,” said Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, referring to Cruz. “As he led the country toward the shutdown, he should play a role in fixing this.”

Most of the state’s dozen U.S. House members who are Democrats joined in a show of force at the Capitol. They sent a letter to Cruz and senior Sen. John Cornyn, the deputy GOP leader in Senate, asking for a meeting and urging them to end the stalemate.

They warned of escalating problems for Texas as the shutdown persists, from widespread furloughs at NASA’s Johnson Space Center to looming delays in paychecks for border guards and customs officers in El Paso.

More at http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/10/shutdown-texans-in-congress-pressure-sen-ted-cruz-and-other-texas-republicans.html/ .

[louis-t]

1. I think Cruz's punishment should be

washing the floor of the Texas Senate chamber every day for a month.

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

2. with his

smarmy tongue.

[louis-t]

6. Nah, he got boogies. Give him a toothbrush.

Then make him recite the dialogue from Forrest Gump: "Shrimp sandwich, shrimp gumbo, shrimp salad...."

[Melissa G]

3. LOVE Sheila Jackson Lee!

So glad she told them the way it is!

[texanwitch]

4. She is my rep.

And a family friend.

[efhmc]

5. Lucky you.

She is a wonder.