Chicago is facing scrutiny from Republicans on the Senate Commerce Committee as they investigate the city's use of airports to house undocumented immigrants. In a letter to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, committee members raised concerns about the violation of federal funding guidelines for airport facilities. Senator Ted Cruz explained that airports across the country receive millions of dollars in federal funds annually, including Chicago's O'Hare Airport. However, instead of utilizing these funds for airport operations, the city is using them to house undocumented immigrants. This misuse of federal grants contradicts the requirement that airport facilities be available for public use. Republicans on the Senate Commerce Committee have demanded answers from Mayor Johnson regarding this misuse of funds.
The issue of undocumented immigration extends beyond Chicago, as similar concerns have been raised about Logan Airport. In a recent interview, Senator Cruz expressed his frustration with a potential compromise bill being discussed in the Senate. He argued that Congress should pass strong legislation to compel President Biden to secure the border. He praised H.R. 2, a border security bill passed by Republicans in the House, and mentioned his role as the lead sponsor of the Senate version. However, he lamented that this bill was not being considered in the Senate discussions.
Senator Cruz criticized Republican leadership for pushing a compromise deal that he believes fails to secure the border effectively. He highlighted that the proposed bill could normalize the entry of up to 5,000 undocumented immigrants per day, equating to over 1.8 million individuals annually or approximately 6 million during Biden's presidency. Cruz questioned the logic of accepting two-thirds of the number of undocumented entries allowed under the current administration, stating that it made no sense to him.
The interview also touched on Senator Cruz's upcoming reelection campaign in Texas. He revealed that he is the primary target of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and that billionaire philanthropist George Soros is pouring millions of dollars into efforts to defeat him. Cruz disclosed that the Democratic party plans to spend over $100 million in the race. He urged his supporters to visit his website and make contributions to counter the significant financial backing of his opponents.
Senator Cruz emphasized the importance of Texas standing strong against the policies emerging from Washington. He urged individuals to support him in taking a stand to secure the border and fight against what he sees as a disaster from the current administration. The senator's reelection campaign comes six years after a closely contested race against Beto O'Rourke, with polls indicating a similarly tight contest this time around.