The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Massive School Choice WIN in Texas & Opportunity for Massive WIN Nationally, plus Stopping a Nuclear Iran Release Date: May 12, 2025

In the May 12, 2025 episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson, host Ben Ferguson engages in a compelling discussion with Senator Ted Cruz, focusing on three pivotal topics: Texas's groundbreaking school choice legislation, the national prospects for expanding school choice, and the urgent need to address Iran's nuclear ambitions.

1. Celebrating Mother's Day and Introducing the Episode

[00:06] Ben Ferguson:
Ben opens the episode by warmly wishing all mothers a happy Mother's Day, setting a familial and respectful tone for the discussion. He greets Senator Ted Cruz, acknowledging the Senator's recent celebration with his 90-year-old mother, highlighting the importance of family values.

[00:21] Senator Ted Cruz:
Senator Cruz shares heartfelt experiences from his Mother's Day, emphasizing the significance of honoring mothers and expressing gratitude for the invaluable role they play in families.

2. Landmark Victory on School Choice in Texas

[00:47] Ben Ferguson:
Ben introduces the major topic of the day—a significant victory in Texas regarding school choice—which holds potential national implications. He underscores Senator Cruz's long-standing commitment to this cause.

[01:01] Senator Ted Cruz:
Senator Cruz elaborates on the recent Texas legislation, describing it as "the biggest, the boldest, the most significant school choice program in the entire country" ([01:01]). He explains that Texas has allocated $1 billion towards education savings accounts, providing nearly $11,000 per student for approximately 90,000 schoolchildren. For students with disabilities, these accounts can reach up to $30,000 ([04:28]).

Key Details:

• Scope and Impact:
  Texas represents about 10% of the U.S. population and schoolchildren. Implementing such a comprehensive school choice program in Texas is a "massive and game-changing victory" ([04:28]).

• Legislative Battle:
  Senator Cruz discusses the challenges faced in the Texas State House, where rural Republicans and public school superintendents opposed the bill. The opposition stemmed from concerns over the influence of teachers' unions and the dominance of urban Republicans who traditionally vote against school choice initiatives ([07:34]).

• Political Strategy:
  To overcome these obstacles, Senator Cruz undertook a proactive approach by endorsing candidates in primaries who supported school choice. He emphasized that if a legislator voted against school choice, he would endorse their primary challengers ([07:41]). This strategy led to the election of supportive representatives who could advance the bill.

[06:38] Ben Ferguson:
Ben commends Senator Cruz's unconventional but effective political maneuvers, highlighting the significance of his endorsements in shifting the legislative landscape.

[09:33] Ben Ferguson:
Ben probes into the practical implications of the Texas school choice program for parents, questioning how they can navigate and benefit from the new system.

[10:49] Senator Ted Cruz:
Senator Cruz responds by dismantling the opposition's claims about school choice destroying public schools. He presents evidence from 30 years of school choice implementations across 30 states, demonstrating that public schools often improve due to increased competition. He asserts that Texas's program will enhance educational outcomes without harming public institutions ([11:19]).

3. National Prospects for Expanding School Choice

[15:56] Ben Ferguson:
Ben shifts the conversation to the federal level, inquiring about the feasibility of replicating Texas's success nationwide. He acknowledges the complexities and challenges involved in passing similar legislation federally.

[16:14] Senator Ted Cruz:
Senator Cruz outlines his efforts to expand school choice nationally through federal legislation. He recounts his successful amendment to the Trump tax cuts in 2017, which allowed 529 savings plans to include K-12 education expenses, marking a significant federal endorsement of school choice ([16:14]).

Federal Proposal:

• Tax Credits for Scholarships:
  Senator Cruz introduced a bill proposing a federal tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations in states. This initiative aims to create $10 billion annually in scholarships, potentially totaling $100 billion over a decade. The funds would empower parents and students to choose schools without federal interference ([20:49]).

• Legislative Challenges:
  Cruz highlights the opposition from Democrats, primarily fueled by the influence of teachers' unions. He emphasizes the strategic use of budget reconciliation to pass the bill with a simple majority in the Senate, circumventing partisan roadblocks ([20:49]).

• Future Vision:
  He advocates for focusing on legacy-building initiatives that will have lasting impacts on American education, urging Republican colleagues to support school choice as a pivotal component of their legislative agenda ([20:49]).

4. Addressing Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

[22:48] Ben Ferguson:
Ben transitions to the critical issue of Iran's nuclear program, referencing his and Senator Cruz's recent discussions on Mark Levin's show. He previews Senator Cruz's insights on why trust in Iran is unfounded and the necessity of dismantling its nuclear capabilities.

[23:04] Senator Ted Cruz:
Senator Cruz provides a stern critique of Iran's leadership, labeling the Ayatollah as a "theocratic lunatic" who openly threatens the U.S. and Israel ([23:04]). He vehemently opposes any new Iran nuclear deal unless it mandates the complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear infrastructure ([24:55]).

Key Points:

• Critique of Past Agreements:
  Cruz condemns the Obama-era nuclear deal for allowing Iran to continue its nuclear program without full dismantlement, asserting that it was a flawed approach that needs rectification ([23:29]).

• Comparison of Administrations:
  He contrasts President Trump's hardline stance, which involved withdrawing from the Obama deal and imposing stringent sanctions, with the Biden administration's alleged appeasement policies that inadvertently strengthened Iran's economy and capacity ([23:57]).

• Current Negotiations and Threats:
  Cruz warns that Iran remains untrustworthy, citing active efforts by the Ayatollah to assassinate U.S. officials, including President Trump and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ([27:20]). He underscores the urgent need for full nuclear dismantlement to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

• Policy Recommendations:
  Advocating for maximum pressure, Cruz calls for either voluntary dismantlement by Iran or, if necessary, unilateral action by the U.S. to neutralize Iran's nuclear facilities ([27:50]).

[29:45] Ben Ferguson:
Ben reinforces Cruz's unwavering stance, emphasizing the consensus among him, Levin, and President Trump on the imperative to not trust Iran and to ensure its nuclear program is entirely dismantled ([29:57]).

5. Conclusion and Call to Action

[32:27] Ben Ferguson:
Ben concludes the episode by reaffirming the unified position against Iran's nuclear ambitions and reiterates the importance of supporting initiatives like school choice that empower American families and secure national safety.

Notable Quotes

• Senator Ted Cruz on School Choice:
  "I think school choice is the civil rights issue of the 21st century." [08:44]

• Senator Ted Cruz on Federal Legislation:
  "There is just about nothing we could do that would have a bigger legacy than school choice." [16:14]

• Senator Ted Cruz on Iran:
  "A nuclear Iran is an unacceptable threat of seeing an atomic bomb detonated in the skies of New York or the skies of Los Angeles." [27:14]

Final Thoughts

This episode of The 47 Morning Update delivers an in-depth exploration of two pressing issues: the transformative school choice legislation in Texas and the critical threat posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions. Through Senator Ted Cruz's insightful commentary and strategic perspectives, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in shaping America's educational landscape and ensuring national security. Ben Ferguson adeptly facilitates the conversation, making complex topics accessible and engaging for his audience.

Subscribe to The 47 Morning Update on the iHeartRadio app or your preferred podcast platform to stay informed on crucial national issues with Ben Ferguson.