Ted Cruz gives historic ‘filibuster’-style speech to rally against Obamacare

Cruz’s speech — which he promised to give until he was “no longer able to stand” — was not a filibuster, by the Senate definition of the word.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) already had scheduled a Wednesday procedural vote on the House-passed ‘continuing resolution’ to keep the government open beyond the end of the month, when current funding law is set to expire. Cruz’s speech had no bearing on that schedule, and in turn, was not a filibuster of the legislation. It was more of a protest.

So while Cruz was allowed speak at length, his time was finite, lasting only until noon Wendesday, when a new legislative day was set to begin. His speech was the fourth longest in Senate history, as The Washington Post reported.

Just before relinquishing, however, Cruz formally asked that the Senate unanimously agree to two requests: to cancel the previously scheduled Wednesday vote and proceed formally to the continuing resolution, and to speed up the consideration process so that the Senate could vote to end formal debate of the bill Friday instead of Saturday. Cruz was transparent in his reasoning, saying that he wanted a wider national audience to see senators get themselves on the record during a workday and not a weekend.

Reid objected to both requests.

Cruz also had floated the idea that he be able to talk a little longer — “there is still at least strength in my legs to stand a little longer,” he said — but Reid never gave indication that he would alter the Senate’s previously scheduled programming. So after thanking Capitol staff, fellow senators and supporters, Cruz vacated the floor at the agreed-upon time.

During the course of his ‘filibuster’, Cruz fielded questions — which were often more like monologues — from colleagues including Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah),  Rand Paul (R-Ky.), David Vitter (R-La.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and Dick Durbin (D- Ill.). Lee stayed with Cruz throughout the night, even when he wasn’t asking questions on the floor. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) joined in on Tuesday evening and then again around 6 a.m. Wednesday, after arriving at the Capitol and realizing Cruz was still talking. The queries gave the Texas Senator a break from speaking, but he had to remain on his feet in the chamber to maintain control of the Senate floor.

Cruz’s speech was marked with some humorous moments and cultural references. He did his best Darth Vader impression, he quoted Ayn Rand and Ashton Kutcher, and also took some time out of his speech on Tuesday night to read bedtime stories — “King Solomon’s Wise Words” and Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham — to his daughters.

He read tweets, with the hashtags #DefundObamacareBecause and #MakeDCListen, and quoted Toby Keith lyrics and Duck Dynasty. He also professed his love for White Castle burgers.

The Texas Republican opposes the Wednesday vote, arguing that it simply will allow Democrats to offer and approve an amendment that strips the provision defunding Obamacare from the legislation, and package a ‘clean’ version of the CR to send to the House. Cruz stands in contrast with Senate GOP leadership on the issue — Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and his top lieutenant, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), announced Monday that they would support the procedural vote, since it would move further in the legislative process a bill that accomplishes the dual goal of keeping the government open and cutting off Obamacare funding.

While Cruz picked up some support on the floor during his speech, several Senate Republicans followed leadership’s suit in announcing that they would vote yes on Wednesday.

For a brief primer of where the Senate goes from here on the funding legislation, check out this post from Tim Carney of Red Alert Politics’ sister publication, the Washington Examiner.