Lab rats, lawyers, conservative legislative victories, and Jimmy Kimmel were all part of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s remarks at the Faith and Freedom Coalition conference Thursday in Washington, D.C.
The Republican senator told the crowd at the annual Road to Majority conference many conservative victories that had been obtained since the election of Republican majorities in the House and Senate and a Republican president in the White House, while beginning his speech with a joke comparing lawyers to lab rats.
Cruz in his remarks outlined different policy objectives that had been achieved by the GOP-controlled government, including judicial appointments, the passage of tax reform, defending life, and various foreign policy goals.
“I came here to reflect on the incredible victories we’ve had for faith, for family, for the values we share,” the senator said.
In his wide-ranging comments, Cruz praised the Supreme Court ruling Monday in favor of the Masterpiece Cakeshop, calling it a victory for religious liberty.
“There are those with a legal agenda that wanted to drive that baker out of business, to punish him and any other person of faith for daring to live according to your faith,” Cruz said. “The so-called Colorado Civil Rights Commission demonstrated an animosity to faith that was visceral.”
The former 2016 presidential candidate noted the “major victory” that was passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but added that he thought the U.S. should “go to a simple flat tax” and should “abolish the IRS.”
Cruz particularly praised the inclusion of the Obamacare individual mandate repeal in the tax reform bill, a mandate the senator said was the reason that former President Bill Clinton called Obamacare “the craziest thing in the world.”
“I think that’s the only time in my life I’ve agreed with Bill Clinton,” the senator quipped.
Cruz also acknowledged his upcoming one-on-one basketball game against late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, saying, “My staff is terrified Kimmel is going to dunk on me.”
