Ted Cruz forgot a very important concept. Don’t ask a question if you do not know the answer you are likely to receive.
Sally Yates schools Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz thought he had a gotcha moment, but Sally Yates was ready for his infantile stunt by calmly countering it in a deliberate manner.
Sally Yates answered question after question at the Russian probe hearing. Ted Cruz used his time to attempt to embarrass her. It ultimately backfired as Yates was much more up-to-speed on the statute and constitutional issues than Ted was.
“By the expressed text of the statute,” Ted Cruz said. “It says, quote: ‘Whenever the President finds that the entry of any alien or class of aliens into the United States, would be detrimental to the interest of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for any period he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens, any restrictions he may deem appropriate.” Would you agree that that is broad statutory authorization?”
Sally Yates was ready.
“I would, and I am familiar with that,” Yates said. “And I’m also familiar with an additional provision of the INA that says: “No person shall receive preference or be discriminated against in issuance of a visa because of race, nationality, or place of birth.” That, I believe was promulgated after the statute that you just quoted. And, that’s been part of the discussion with the courts in respect to the INA, is whether this more specific statute trumps the first one that you just described. But my concern was not an INA concern, here; it rather, was a constitutional concern.”
It was a big fail for Ted Cruz as his pomposity continues to diminish him each time he opens his mouth.