Update: Sen. Cruz's remarks have ended. For a recap, see: With A Call For Prayer, Cruz Wraps Up Protest Against Obamacare.
Original Post (Sept. 24): Tea Party favorite Sen. Ted Cruz seems to be taking a play from another Texas politico: Wendy Davis.
On the floor of the U.S. Senate moments ago, Sen. Cruz announced he will deliver extended, filibuster-style remarks on his support for defunding President Obama’s signature package of health care reforms, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
"I intend to speak in opposition to Obamacare," Cruz said. "I intend to speak in support of defunding Obamacare until I am no longer able to stand."
Despite House Republicans passing a bill that would defund the Affordable Care Act, Cruz has said he wants to filibuster the bill when it comes before the Senate tomorrow. That’s in order to prevent Senate Democrats from removing the provision that blocks funding of the health care law.
If Senate Democrats do remove that portion from the bill, it will be returned to the House, where Republicans will have to decide whether to pass another budget that defunds the health law. If they do, and send it back to the Senate, the stalemate could result in a government shutdown on October 1.
