WASHINGTON _ Texas Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday broke with Senate conservatives to support a government funding bill that provides a boost in defense spending _ along with money for public broadcasting, Head Start programs and the operation of Obamacare.
The move is out of character for Cruz, who five years ago bucked GOP leaders to orchestrate a government shutdown in the name of defunding Obamacare.
The senator twice declined to be interviewed about the bill by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Tuesday, directing questions to his press staff.
