I just asked (Freedom Caucus member) Congressman Mo Brooks about that specifically this morning on a local radio show.
He declared that Cruz did that amendment for the purpose of introducing a 'poison pill' to kill off the broader amnesty bill involved.
It was the Congressman's opinion that only Cruz has the complete package for immigration policy among all GOP candidates for Pres...
> Trump - would deport, build fence, but then allow many back in.
> Rubio - while indicating that his Gang of 8 measure was a 'mistake', has never renounced the position.
I completely agree that Cruz says that now.
But, there is one problem.
Ted Cruz forgot to mention his “poison pill” strategy until two years later - AFTER he began running for president.
So, if you and Mo Brooks are claiming that Ted Cruz has had a change of heart about his immigration policy, well, I agree.
If you are claiming that Ted Cruz has ALWAYS supported that same policy, that is incorrect.
By the way, are you and Mo Brooks aware of the fact that Ted Cruz helped George W. Bush write Bush's immigration policy in 1999-2000?
That would be the same George W. Bush who tried to shove the Bush-McCain Amnesty down our throats in 2005-2006.
To my knowledge, Ted Cruz wrote nothing and said nothing - for or against - the Bush-McCain Amnesty.
Since the Bush-McCain Amnesty was the most intensely controversial domestic policy issue during Bush's eight year presidency, I find Cruz's silence very strange.
Bottom Line - I think Ted Cruz is, and always has been, a George W. Bush Republican on the immigration issue. And, I think Cruz will betray us on immigration, just like George W. Bush did.
And, just so you know - I have never supported Trump, and I will not vote for Trump, because I do not believe in Trump's sudden Conservative “conversion.”