Skip to content
PILLARS
HomeRecent BillsActionsMore
ExploreElectionsPresidential ActionsPoliticiansTrending Bills
WatchlistSettingsProfile
HomeRecent BillsActionsMore
PILLARS

The bills, politicians, and elections that shape your life, in plain English.

Get the App
Our Receipts
Sources & MethodologyApp DetailsSend Feedback
The Legal Stuff
Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceContact Us
Find Us On
© 2026 Political Pillars Inc.Simplifying politics
Ted Cruz
Politicians/Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz (R)
Senator (TX)
Role Summary

Members of the Senate are responsible for introducing and voting on federal legislation, representing their state, and providing a check on executive power. Key powers include confirming presidential appointments, ratifying treaties, serving on committees, shaping the federal budget, and conducting impeachment trials. Each senator serves a six-year term and represents their entire state.

Quick Facts
Party
Republican
Age
55
Religion
Christian
Birthplace
Calgary, Canada
Residence
Houston, TX
Born
December 22, 1970
Family
Wife: Heidi; 2 Children: Caroline, Catherine
Contact
214-599-8749Contact Formwww.cruz.senate.gov
Election Info
DistrictJunior Seat, TX
Current Term01/03/2013 — Present
First Elected11/06/2012
Last Elected11/05/2024
Next Senator Election2026
Education
JD
Harvard Law School
1992-1995
AB, Public Policy
Princeton University
1988-1992
Political Career1
Senator
United States Senate, Texas
2013-present
Professional Background11
Associate Deputy Attorney General
United States Department of Justice
2001
Coordinator
Department of Justice, Bush-Cheney Transition Team
2000-2001
Law Clerk
Judge J. Michael Luttig, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
1995-1996
Director
Office of Policy Planning, Federal Trade Commission
2001-2003
Domestic Policy Advisor
Bush Presidential Campaign
1999-2000
Associate
Cooper/Carvin & Rosenthal
1997-1999
Law Clerk
Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, Supreme Court of the United States
1996-1997
Solicitor General of Texas
Office of the Attorney General
2003-2008
Adjunct Professor of Law
United States Court Litigation, University of Texas School of Law
2004-2009
Partner
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Limited Liability Partnership
2008-2013
Florida Recount Team
Bush-Cheney Presidential Campaign
2000
Organizations8
Texas Review of Law & Politics
Board Member
Hispanic Alliance for Progress
Board Member
Texas Philosophical Society
Member
Texas Lyceum
Director/Former Vice President
Harvard Law Review
Primary Editor
American Law Institute
Member
Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy
Executive Editor
Harvard Latino Law Review
Founding Editor
Committees12
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee on Foreign Relations
Committee on Rules and Administration
Committee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy
Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration
Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism
Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism
Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism
Subcommittee on Oversight, Agency Action, Federal Rights and Federal Courts
Subcommittee on The Constitution
Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues

Recent Bills & Votes

S 5271A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identificationVoted YesHR 6500African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Extension ActVoted YesHR 5334Supporting Early-childhood Educators' Deductions (SEED) Act of 2025Voted YesS J Res 187A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7)"Voted NoS J Res 181A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by CongressVoted No
Quick Facts
Party
Republican
Age
55
Religion
Christian
Birthplace
Calgary, Canada
Residence
Houston, TX
Born
December 22, 1970
Family
Wife: Heidi; 2 Children: Caroline, Catherine
Contact
214-599-8749Contact Formwww.cruz.senate.gov