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Ted Cruz

U.S. Senator for TX

RepublicanSenate

Positions last updated Oct 12, 2026

In Congress since
2013
Years served
14
Age
55
Current term ends
Jan 3, 2031

Source: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress (via the public congress-legislators dataset). Photo: official congressional portrait.

Compare with another member

Where their record lies

Between the typical Democratic and typical Republican record

CruzClose to the typical Republican record. Ted Cruz's record sits 106% of the way from the typical Democratic record to the typical Republican record. 258 Democratic and 269 Republican members are shown; 13 of 530 sit in the middle.
Democratic258 members
Middle13 members
Republican269 members

Close to the typical Republican record

Ted Cruz's record sits 106% of the way from the typical Democratic record to the typical Republican record.

Built from 6 topics that divide the parties. It describes a record of votes and statements, not a person. How this is calculated.

Their record by topic

Further from the center means more agreement with the quiz statement

Web chart of Ted Cruz’s positions on 8 topics; a larger shape means stronger agreement.Health careTaxes & spendingImmigrationClimate & energyGunsAbortionEducationForeign policy

Each point averages how Ted Cruz votes and what they say on that topic. A topic with no data is left out, not drawn as neutral. The sources are in the sections below.

Where they stand

Each topic is a statement from the quiz. "Agree" means their votes or words line up with it.

  • Health care

    “The federal government should guarantee health coverage for every American.”

    Votes: Strongly disagree|Says: No data

  • Taxes & spending

    “Lowering taxes matters more than expanding government services.”

    Votes: Strongly agree|Says: Strongly agree

  • Immigration

    “Border security should be the top priority in immigration policy.”

    Votes: Strongly agree|Says: Strongly agree

  • Climate & energy

    “The federal government should require cuts to carbon emissions, even if energy costs rise.”

    Votes: Disagree|Says: Strongly disagree

  • Guns

    “Federal law should require background checks on all gun sales, including private sales.”

    Votes: Neutral or unsure|Says: No data

  • Abortion

    “Abortion law should be decided by each state, not the federal government.”

    Votes: No data|Says: Neutral or unsure

  • Education

    “Public school funding should follow students to the school their family chooses, including private schools.”

    Votes: Agree|Says: Strongly agree

  • Foreign policy

    “The U.S. should keep providing military aid to its allies abroad.”

    Votes: Disagree|Says: Neutral or unsure

Votes on key bills

The final vote on each bill Scope tracks (not every vote they have cast). Newest first.

Show 3 more votes

Source: House Clerk and Senate roll-call records via Congress.gov. For every vote they have cast, see GovTrack.

Words versus votes

Pro preview · free for now

No topic where votes and statements point in opposite directions (5 topics compared).

A difference is a prompt to look closer, not proof of anything. Votes come from a short list of tracked bills; statements come from speeches, press releases and bills they put their name on. See the evidence for each topic. On 1 more topic one side is neutral, so there is nothing to contrast.

Campaign money

$10.2 million raised in the 2025-2026 cycle

For the 2025-2026 election cycle, through Jun 30, 2026. Who funds a campaign can shape who a member listens to, though it does not decide how they vote.

Raised
$10.2 million
Spent
$9.1 million
Cash on hand
$0

Where the money came from

  • Small donors (under $200 each)38%
  • Larger individual donors43%
  • Political action committees (PACs)5%
  • Other14%

Source: Federal Election Commission filings · see top donors on OpenSecrets.

What they work on

79 bills written, 188 signed onto. Top topic: Armed Forces and National Security

In the current Congress they have written 79 bills and signed on to 188 more. A bill someone writes shows what they want to change.

Topics of the bills they wrote

  • Armed Forces and National Security21
  • Taxation14
  • International Affairs13
  • Crime and Law Enforcement8
  • Immigration5

Most recent bills they wrote

  • S. 5514: Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026 (Sep 24, 2026)
  • S. 5289: Right to Worship Act (Sep 22, 2026)
  • S. 5369: Restoring Electoral Fairness and Opposition Rights through Mandates for Accountability Act of 2026 (Aug 7, 2026)
  • S.Res. 829: A resolution reaffirming the policy of the United States to support a peaceful democratic transition in Venezuela thr... (Aug 4, 2026)
  • S. 5110: Improving America's Literacy Act (Jul 23, 2026)

Source: Sponsorship records from Congress.gov; each bill links to its page there.

Committees

4 committees: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Senate Committee on Foreign Relations...

Committees study and rewrite bills before the full chamber votes.

Source: Committee rosters from the congress-legislators dataset (built from the House and Senate committee pages, as of 2026-10-12). Each committee name links to its official page.

Career in Congress

2013 to present
  • 2013 to presentU.S. Senate, TXRepublican

Source: Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

Contact and learn more

Office phone, website, message form and where to read more

Contact their office

Read more about them

Source: Contact details from the member's official pages, via the congress-legislators dataset. Outside sites are not run by Scope.

The evidence, topic by topic

Every position links to the votes, quotes and bills it was built from

Health care

How they vote

Strongly disagree (-2)

Calculated from 3 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14.Roll call on bill

Votes behind Cruz, Ted's position on Health care

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

No data

Taxes & spending

How they vote

Strongly agree (+2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.

Votes behind Cruz, Ted's position on Taxes & spending

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Strongly agree (+2)

Based on 3 cosponsored bills, 1 sponsored bill related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

sponsored bill: S 615: Chemical Tax Repeal Actcosponsored bill: S 213: Main Street Tax Certainty Actcosponsored bill: S 1865: Tanning Tax Repeal Act of 2025cosponsored bill: S 587: Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025

Statements behind Cruz, Ted's position on Taxes & spending

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Immigration

How they vote

Strongly agree (+2)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on bill

Votes behind Cruz, Ted's position on Immigration

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Strongly agree (+2)

Based on 15 cosponsored bills, 5 sponsored bills, 3 press releases related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

“statutory loopholes remain that directly endanger children while more broadly undermining border security and American national security. Congress should close such loopholes permanently”

“Illegal aliens who commit serious crimes should never be released back onto American streets for any reason”

“The flood of mass illegal immigration into our country created a national emergency”

cosponsored bill: S 1151: Accountability Through Electronic Verification Actcosponsored bill: S 486: Mandatory Removal Proceedings Actsponsored bill: S 72: Justice for Jocelyn Actsponsored bill: S 271: Stop Illegal Reentry Actcosponsored bill: S 293: WALL Act of 2025

Statements behind Cruz, Ted's position on Immigration

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Climate & energy

How they vote

Disagree (-1)

Calculated from 1 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 14.

Votes behind Cruz, Ted's position on Climate & energy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Strongly disagree (-2)

Based on 8 cosponsored bills, 2 sponsored bills, 1 floor speech related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

“would increase costs and limit the options of everyday Texans and everyday Americans across our Nation”

sponsored bill: S 4340: Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026cosponsored bill: S 996: Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025cosponsored bill: SJRES 46: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relasponsored bill: S 143: Natural Gas Tax Repeal Actcosponsored bill: SJRES 12: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency rela

Statements behind Cruz, Ted's position on Climate & energy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Guns

How they vote

Neutral or unsure (0)

Calculated from 1 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Votes behind Cruz, Ted's position on Guns

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

No data

Abortion

How they vote

No data

What they say

Neutral or unsure (0)

Based on 1 cosponsored bill related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: S 6: Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

Statements behind Cruz, Ted's position on Abortion

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Education

How they vote

Agree (+1)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.Roll call on bill

Votes behind Cruz, Ted's position on Education

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Strongly agree (+2)

Based on 2 sponsored bills, 1 cosponsored bill, 1 press release related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

“school choice is the civil rights issue of the 21st century”

cosponsored bill: SRES 44: A resolution designating the week of January 26 through February 1, 2025, as "National School Choice Week".sponsored bill: S 1810: Universal School Choice Actpress release: Sen. Cruz Visits The Imani School in Houston to Celebrate Historic School Choice Victoriessponsored bill: S 1244: Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2025

Statements behind Cruz, Ted's position on Education

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Foreign policy

How they vote

Disagree (-1)

Calculated from 2 recorded vote(s) using the public issue-to-bill list.

Verified · Last updated Oct 12, 2026

Roll call on billRoll call on Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and for other purposes.

Votes behind Cruz, Ted's position on Foreign policy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

What they say

Neutral or unsure (0)

Based on 2 cosponsored bills related to this issue.

Verified · Last updated Oct 8, 2026

cosponsored bill: SRES 547: A resolution expressing unwavering support for the United States-Japan alliance in response to political, economic and military pressure by the People's Republic of China.cosponsored bill: S 313: Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act of 2025

Statements behind Cruz, Ted's position on Foreign policy

A position is built from many pieces of evidence. Each one is listed here, strongest first. Open any to see its source, how it counted, and how it was produced.

Revision history

50 recorded changes
  • Foreign policy (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -1 to -2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): 1 to 1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 12, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -1 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (vote): 1 to 1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): -2 to -1Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): 2 to 2Status changed: verified to needs_review · Oct 12, 2026
  • Education (statement): 2 to 2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Abortion (statement): 0 to 0Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (statement): 0 to 0Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (statement): -2 to -2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (statement): 2 to 2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (statement): 2 to 2Bulk approval (statements): Spot-checked a sample of the AI's readings · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (statement): created at 0Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Abortion (statement): created at 0Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Education (statement): created at 2Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (statement): created at 2Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (statement): created at 2Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (statement): created at -2Created · Oct 8, 2026
  • Foreign policy (vote): -2 to -2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Education (vote): 1 to 1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Guns (vote): 0 to 0Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Immigration (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Taxes & spending (vote): 2 to 2Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -1 to -1Bulk approval: AI bill check reviewed and accepted · Oct 8, 2026
  • Guns (vote): -2 to 0Status changed: needs_review to needs_review · Oct 8, 2026
  • Health care (vote): -2 to -1Status changed: needs_review to needs_review · Oct 8, 2026
  • Climate & energy (vote): -2 to -1Status changed: needs_review to needs_review · Oct 8, 2026