AOC leaders and Democrats were volunteers in the state at the same time.
A few days after being criticized for taking a controversial trip to Mexico, when millions of Texans suffered from freezing temperatures amid water and power cuts, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz was criticized for posting photos of himself helping with relief efforts at the same time. his most prominent opponents went to the state to offer help.
Cruz visited some locations in the Houston area on Saturday and Sunday, delivering bottled water to residents and providing food for first responders. The posts on social media, which featured the senator in a mask with the Texas flag, were met with thousands of responses and tweets criticizing Cruz for what many called “photo op” to contain the bad press he received for making his travel.
“My constituents made me shorten my vacation in Cancún and all I could do was be ashamed to carry their water”, actress Patricia Arquette tweeted in a response to Cruz.
Cruz made a trip to Cancún with his family on Wednesday, while many parts of the state were still without power, water and other supplies. It was photographed and filmed by passengers at the airport and on the plane, and these images generated a flurry of criticism and stitches.
Cruz was scheduled to return on Saturday, but flew back to Texas on Thursday after the reaction. The senator’s office released a statement stating that the trip was for his two daughters, Caroline and Catherine, and their friends. He later told reporters that he had doubts and, in retrospect, “I wouldn’t have done that”.
Abhi Rahman, a spokesman for the Texas Democrats, said in a statement to ABC News that Cruz’s actions this weekend would not diminish the senator’s mistaken vacation.
“Ted Cruz showed the whole world who he is when he left Texas during our greatest time of need. No amount of praise will change that,” he said in a statement.
Cruz officials did not immediately return messages to ABC News to comment on their activities this weekend. He was back in Washington DC on Monday for Senate hearings.
Critics were the key to highlighting that Cruz’s posts on social media and charitable actions took place at the same time as Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, DN.Y., one of Cruz’s staunchest critics, flew to Texas to help with relief efforts.
The New York congresswoman joined Texas congressmen Sylvia Garcia, Penny Morales Shaw and Shelia Jackson Lee to help the Houston Food Bank and raised more than $ 5 million to help families affected by the storm.
Democratic congressmen also helped distribute food and water and spoke to families affected by the storm.
“Charity cannot replace politics, but solidarity is how we will face climate change and build a better world”, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted.
In a statement to ABC News, the Houston Food Bank said that between February 17 and February 21, it distributed 1,000 emergency pallets containing food, water and stable agricultural products on shelves. The non-profit organization praised Congress members for their efforts and reach.
“Your efforts to raise awareness of the need here in southeastern Texas have been of great help,” the Houston Food Bank said in a statement.
Rahman said Texas Democrats are also grateful for Ocasio-Cortez’s help.
“Texas will not forget who was with us during our greatest need and we will hold those who were not responsible,” he said in a statement.