Sen. Ted Cruz acknowledged Thursday that he flew to Mexico with his family even as his state reels from a historic storm that has left hundreds of thousands of people without power and safe drinking water, saying he made the trip to "be a good dad."
The Republican lawmaker faced backlash after initial reports emerged on social media that he had jetsetted to Cancun despite the widespread crisis in Texas, but he defended himself in a statement Thursday afternoon saying it was a trip for his two daughters, Caroline and Catherine, and their friends.
"This has been an infuriating week for Texans...Like millions of Texans, our family lost heat and power too,' Cruz said in a statement with ABC News.
"With school cancelled for the week, our girls asked to take a trip with friends. Wanting to be a good dad, I flew down with them last night and am flying back this afternoon," he said.
"My staff and I are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas. We want our power back, our water on, and our homes warm. My team and I will continue using all our resources to keep Texans informed and safe," Cruz added.
Sen. Ted Cruz checks his documentation at an airline counter at the Cancun International Airport before boarding his plane back to the U.S., in Cancun, Mexico, Feb. 18, 2021.
Cruz’s office told ABC News the senator was tested this morning for COVID-19 to comply with the new mandate requiring citizens to present a negative test before traveling to the United States.
Cruz headed to Cancun, Mexico, for a long-planned family vacation, various media outlets had reported, including The Associated Press, CNN and Fox News.
The Houston Police Department confirmed to ABC News that Cruz's staff contacted police personnel on Wednesday requesting assistance upon the senator's arrival at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, though they did not specify what type of assistance.
Police said he arrived at Terminal E and officers "monitored his movements" through the terminal.
Sen. Ted Cruz speaks to the media at the Cancun International Airport before boarding his plane back to the U.S., Feb. 18, 2021, in Cancun, Mexico.
Critics slammed the senator on Twitter after photos emerged on social media of a man who appears to be Cruz aboard a plane.
The Lone Star state is in the midst of a crisis in the wake of a powerful storm that started Sunday, creating widespread power outages and burst pipes. Nearly 500,000 customers in Texas remained without power Thursday morning.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said, "Well it's certainly much warmer where he's going" when asked about Cruz's trip during a press conference Thursday.
"My job is to stay here until the situation is resolved so that's it you know, I'm gonna let the senator speak for the senator," he added.
“That’s something that he has to answer to his constituents about,” state Republican Party Chairman Allen West said to the AP on his travel. “I’m here trying to take care of my family and look after my friends and others that are still without power."
Texas Democrats called on Cruz to resign for seemingly abandoning his constituents in the midst of the storm.
Texas Democratic Party chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said, "Ted Cruz jetting off to Mexico while Texans remain dying in the cold isn't surprising but it is deeply disturbing and disappointing."
Sen. Ted Cruz carries his luggage at the Cancun International Airport before boarding his plane back to the U.S., Feb. 18, 2021, in Cancun, Mexico.
"The Texas Democratic Party calls on Ted Cruz to resign or be expelled from office… We must restore ethics, competence, and a government that works for the people," the group said in a statement.
Just on Monday Cruz had urged residents to stay home in a radio interview that was shared on YouTube by his office in which he said: “So don’t risk it. Keep your family safe and just stay home and hug your kids.”
One day later, Cruz issued a public apology on Twitter after an old tweet of his from August resurfaced, in which he castigated California’s “failed energy policies” and mocked their power grid system.
Sen. Ted Cruz is seen at the United lounge at the Houston International Airport, Feb. 18, 2021.
This week’s winter storm has also pushed Texas’ grid system to the limit and resulted in millions being left without power on Wednesday.
“I have no defense,” he wrote apologetically. "A blizzard strikes Texas & our state shuts down. Not good."
In December Cruz eviscerated Austin Mayor Steve Adler as a “hypocrite” for vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, during the pandemic after he told residents to stay home.
ABC News' Mariam Khan and Benjamin Siegel contributed to this report.
