The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode: Inside the Senate Vote on the New Majority Leader Release Date: November 15, 2024

Introduction: A New Era in Washington

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson delves into the recent seismic shifts in the U.S. Senate following the latest election results. Joining him is Senator Ted Cruz, who provides firsthand insights into the election dynamics, the election of the new Majority Leader, and the broader implications for the Republican Party and the nation's legislative agenda.

Post-Election Atmosphere and Leadership Elections

Senator Ted Cruz returns to Washington, D.C., delivering an enthusiastic account of the Republican surge. "There is an enormous energy, there's an enormous enthusiasm. People are really excited about President Trump coming back in the White House," Cruz states at [00:13]. He contrasts this optimism with the Democrats' apparent disarray, noting their "shell shock" and difficulty in adapting to the new political landscape.

Cruz emphasizes the significance of the leadership elections, highlighting that it’s the first time in 18 years that a new Majority Leader is being elected. He introduces the topic by stating, "the very first majority leader was elected in 18 years," setting the stage for an in-depth discussion on the Senate's internal dynamics.

Committee Assignments and Seniority in the Senate

A substantial portion of the conversation focuses on the intricacies of Senate committee assignments and the role of seniority. Senator Cruz explains, "You can accrue seniority on two A committees and one B committee," detailing his own committee memberships: the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and the Senate Judiciary Committee as his primary (A) committees, and the Rules Committee as his (B) committee ([04:00]).

He elaborates on the strategic importance of these assignments, particularly his upcoming chairmanship of the Commerce Committee. "The Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over 40% of the US economy," Cruz asserts at [08:37], underscoring the committee's vast influence over sectors like aviation, communications, and space exploration.

Significance of the Commerce Committee Chairmanship

Taking on the role of Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee is portrayed as a transformative position. Cruz shares the benefits associated with this role, including a significant increase in budget and staff, which enhances a senator's effectiveness. "When you have that team, you are able to engage on, I would say 5x or 10x as many issues," he explains ([08:37]).

He highlights the committee's ability to influence major legislative vehicles, such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). "Any bill that is within the Commerce Committee jurisdiction cannot be attached to the NDAA or to anything else without the sign off of the chairman," Cruz notes at [12:37], emphasizing the leverage this position provides in shaping policy and advancing the Republican agenda.

Key Legislative Priorities: Jobs, Spectrum, and AI

Ben Ferguson probes into the tangible outcomes expected from the Republican majority, prompting Cruz to outline his legislative priorities:

1. Job Creation and Economic Growth:

   • Cruz prioritizes job creation, citing tax and regulatory reforms as primary drivers. "Every time you reduce taxes, you simplify the tax code, you reduce and repeal job-killing regulations, small businesses expand and you get more jobs" ([14:36]).

2. Spectrum Allocation:

   • He advocates for reallocating government-controlled spectrum to the private sector to foster investment and technological advancements. "When you move spectrum to the private sector, it creates tens or even hundreds of thousands of jobs and it unleashes tens or hundreds of billions of dollars of investment" ([14:59]).

3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation:

   • Cruz expresses concern over the Democratic approach to AI regulation, advocating for a light-touch regulatory environment to maintain American leadership in AI innovation. "Biden ... entered an executive order on AI, that basically modeled what the European Union did. It was a heavy-handed government prior approval mechanism" ([18:37]).

   He draws parallels to the Internet's growth under Clinton-era policies, attributing significant economic expansion to minimal regulatory interference. "The American economy is 50% larger than the EU... virtually every major big tech company in the world is headquartered in the United States and is driving massive job creation" ([18:37]).

4. Energy Dominance:

   • Emphasizing energy as a cornerstone for reducing inflation and boosting job creation, Cruz aligns with former President Trump's energy policies to reinforce America's position as an energy superpower ([18:37]).

5. College Athletics Regulation:

   • Addressing the chaotic state of college sports, Cruz calls for congressional intervention to legislate and protect the integrity of the game while safeguarding athletes' interests ([20:36]).

The Senate Majority Leader Election: Dynamics and Outcome

The episode provides a detailed recounting of the Majority Leader election process, highlighting the key players and the strategic maneuvers involved.

Candidates:

• John Thune: Current Republican Whip
• John Cornyn: Senator from Texas and former Republican Whip
• Rick Scott: Senator from Florida, supported by the Trump MAGA faction

Cruz narrates the election procedure, emphasizing the secret ballot's role in maintaining collegiality within the Senate ([24:55]). He recounts his personal involvement, supporting Rick Scott and expressing frustration over internal party divisions aimed at weakening Republican unity.

During the voting rounds, Rick Scott was eliminated in the first ballot, leading to a head-to-head between Thune and Cornyn. Ultimately, John Thune secured the Majority Leader position, a result Cruz describes with a mix of acceptance and strategic insight. "Thune as leader is gonna focus on working very closely with President Trump to confirm his Cabinet appointments to move forward," he states ([34:16]).

Cruz also touches on the repercussions of opposing Mitch McConnell in the previous leadership contest, noting punitive actions against dissenting Republicans, which underscores the high-stakes nature of internal party politics ([29:47]).

Implications of Thune’s Leadership

Under John Thune’s leadership, Cruz outlines a collaborative approach aimed at advancing the Republican legislative priorities. "We are really focused on delivering results and delivering on our promises to the voters," Cruz affirms ([37:49]). He describes a strategic alignment with the Trump administration to push forward on significant issues like tax reform, regulatory overhaul, energy policies, and border security.

Cruz reassures listeners that Thune’s leadership will not automatically endorse every White House initiative but will work synergistically to achieve bipartisan or broadly supported outcomes. This balance aims to enhance the Senate's effectiveness without becoming a mere rubber stamp for the executive branch.

Terrorist Arrest in Houston: A National Security Concern

In a shift from legislative discussions, Cruz addresses a recent terrorist arrest in Houston, Texas. He recounts the arrest of Anas Saeed, a 28-year-old man with direct ties to ISIS, who was apprehended for planning an ISIS-inspired attack on American soil ([40:36]).

Cruz underscores the severity of the threat, stating, "we are at a greater risk of a major terrorist attack today than we've been any time since 9/11," and lauds the FBI’s efforts in thwarting the plot. He uses this incident to highlight the ongoing national security challenges and the importance of vigilance and robust counter-terrorism measures.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead

As the episode wraps up, Ben Ferguson and Senator Cruz reflect on the Republican majority's potential to enact meaningful legislation and address pressing national issues. The new Senate leadership under John Thune is poised to drive forward the party's agenda, emphasizing economic growth, technological innovation, energy independence, and national security.

Listeners are encouraged to stay informed and engaged with the latest developments by subscribing to the podcast and following upcoming episodes that promise deeper dives into topics like artificial intelligence and national security.

Notable Quotes

• Senator Ted Cruz on the Senate Democrats' reaction:

  "The Democrats are shell shocked. They have a difficult time believing what has happened. And they're just kind of looking around like, you know, okay, wow, we're in a whole new world." ([00:13])

• Senator Ted Cruz on the Commerce Committee’s influence:

  "The Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over 40% of the US economy." ([08:24])

• Senator Ted Cruz on AI regulation:

  "It was a heavy-handed government prior approval mechanism that I think if that stayed the law, it would cede leadership to the rest of the world and we would fall behind China..." ([18:37])

• Senator Ted Cruz on the Majority Leader election dynamics:

  "Thune is affable. He's a good guy. He's just... he's not a jerk. Everyone likes him." ([34:16])

• Senator Ted Cruz on the Houston terrorist arrest:

  "We are at a greater risk of a major terrorist attack today than we've been any time since 9/11." ([40:36])

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the podcast episode, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the Senate's recent leadership changes, legislative priorities, and national security concerns as analyzed by Senator Ted Cruz.