In a speech that is just begging to be parodied by its subject, Sen. Ted Cruz (R -Texas) warned that the “Democracy for All” constitutional amendment proposed by Senate Democrats could have a greater influence than intended, even killing off parts of pop culture like “Saturday Night Live.”
The amendment was introduced by Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and would authorize Congress and the states to regulate and limit fundraising and spending on federal candidates. It would also prevent the Supreme Court from reversing any future campaign finance legislation passed by Congress. Opponents like Cruz argue that the vague language in the amendment also gives Congress the authority to prohibit corporations from engaging in political speech.
“Well, NBC, which airs Saturday Night Live, is a corporation,” Cruz said, standing in front of a poster with stills from several memorable SNL political skits.
“I grew up watching Saturday Night Live, I love Saturday Night Live. Saturday Night Live over the years, has had some of the most tremendous political satire for decade. Who can forget Chevy Chase tripping and falling over just about everything? Who can forget Dana Carvey’s George Herbert Walker Bush, ‘not gonna do it,’” Cruz said, doing his own impression.
“Who can forget Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Al Gore? Who can forget in 2008, Saturday Night Live’s wickedly funny characterization of the Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin? It was wickedly funny and also [had] a profoundly powerful effect on people’s assessment of Gov. Palin, who’s a friend of mine.”
Cruz used the “SNL” example likely in part because Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), a former “SNL” writer and actor, is an outspoken supporter of the amendment. Cruz said he asked Franken why he believed Congress had the right to prohibit “SNL” from making fun of politicians.
“Now the good senator promptly assured me he had no intention of doing any such thing,” Cruz said. The campaign finance amendment debate is not about the intent, he added, but about the actual impact of the amendment.
Watch the clip below via Politico:
