Senator John Cornyn on Government Shutdowns, ICE, and Iran

Government Funding and Shutdowns

• ⚠️ Senator Cornyn discusses the possibility of Congress remaining in the same situation regarding funding in two weeks, citing a deal for a continuing resolution that may not pass the House.
• 🎯 He emphasizes that the basic functioning of government, like paying bills and keeping the lights on, is an unnecessary process that creates an opportunity cost.

ICE Operations and Sanctuary Jurisdictions

• 🔍 Cornyn expresses skepticism about implementing new restrictions on ICE, such as unmasking agents, body cameras, or no warrantless raids, within the current timeframe.
• 💡 He believes that sanctuary jurisdictions that do not cooperate with federal law enforcement are a primary problem, forcing ICE to make detentions in the general population.
• 🚫 He views requests like unmasking ICE agents as an insult and a call for anarchy, arguing that abandoning the rule of law leaves society with nothing.
• 🤝 Cornyn suggests that ICE may need to fine-tune procedures to deescalate conflict, but stresses this is a two-way street requiring cooperation from sanctuary jurisdictions.

Election Integrity and Voter ID

• 📊 A recent shocking upset in a Texas special election, where a district Trump won by 17 points swung to a Democrat by 16 points, concerns Cornyn.
• 🗳️ He supports the SAVE Act (Save America Act) which requires proof of American citizenship and voter ID to protect the integrity of the ballot, but not a federal takeover of state-run elections.

Foreign Affairs: Iran

• 🌍 Cornyn identifies Iran as the number one state sponsor of international terrorism and a source of instability in the Middle East, including supporting Hamas.
• 💣 He acknowledges that the President is considering a range of options regarding Iran, potentially including strikes against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and Quds Force.
• ⚠️ He notes the difficulty of the decision due to the nature of authoritarian regimes, where leadership often eliminates competition and destroys institutions when deposed.