Transcript: Sen. Ted Cruz on "Face the Nation"

The following is a transcript of an interview with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas that aired Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, on "Face the Nation."

MARGARET BRENNAN: We want to go now to Dallas, Texas, where we are joined by Republican Senator Ted Cruz. Good morning to you, Senator.

SEN. TED CRUZ: Good morning, Margaret.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So this balloon traversed 11 states, but the Pentagon says they were able to mitigate some of its impact. Do you think there is upside to the fact that this was captured this time?

SEN. CRUZ: Well, listen, I want to start by doing something that I don't do very often, which is commending Joe Biden for actually having the guts to shoot this down. That was the right thing to do. That is absolutely what the President should have done. Unfortunately, he didn't do that until a week after it entered U.S.airspace. He allowed a full week for the Chinese to conduct spying operations over the United States, over sensitive military installations, exposing not just photographs but the potential of intercepted communications. And- and more broadly, I think this entire episode, telegraphed weakness to Xi and the Chinese government. And to illustrate why I would just ask one- one hypothetical question: imagine how this would have played out if nobody had taken any pictures of the balloon, if nobody in Montana had looked up and noticed this giant balloon, if it wasn't in the news. We know that when the Biden administration knew about the balloon, they said nothing, they did nothing, they didn't shoot it down. And at the end of the day, I think the only reason they shot it down is because it made it into the news and they felt forced to as a matter of politics rather than national security. That's a bad message for the Chinese government to hear.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, the Pentagon has since disclosed that it's apparently happened four times before, never quite like this. Back in 2020. the Trump administration shuttered the Chinese Consulate in Houston after detecting espionage. Do you think there needs to be more diplomatic fallout on that scale now?

SEN. CRUZ: Look, I- I think there does. When- when- when the Trump administration shut the Chinese consulate in Houston, I spoke with the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about it. And what they had discovered about the espionage activities being carried out in the state of Texas by the Chinese government was horrifying. Right now, there is a Texan, Mark Swidan, who is a political prisoner. He is a hostage in China. He's been there for 10 years. This past week, I introduced a resolution on the floor of the Senate, along with John Cornyn, calling on China to release Mark Swidan. He's wrongfully imprisoned. He's been there 10 years, they've sentenced him to death on charges for which they have little to no evidence, and- and I had been urging Tony Blinken when he was going to Beijing, to raise Mark Swidan's case and to make the case for Mark to be released. China, if they want to demonstrate that they're not bad actors, if they want to demonstrate that they can aspire to being a great nation, they should release Mark Swidan because great nations and great powers don't hold political prisoners. 

MARGARET BRENNAN: And he is wrongfully detained according to the State Department. This was raised to Xi Jinping in November and there- there hasn't been release to date. Thank you for mentioning that. But I want to ask you about your role. You are the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee. You're also a dad, I know you know how hard it is to keep kids offline on this app called TikTok. It's been downloaded 200 million times. I know you think it's espionage. Are we at the point where we're past a ban, where this is just so embedded, that you can't get rid of it?

SEN. CRUZ: Yeah, look, TikTok is incredibly concerning. You're right. With our kids, if you have teenagers, if you have kids in junior high or high school, they're all using it. And the degree to which they have infiltrated our children is really disturbing. There lots of problems with it. There are problems in terms of the messages that they're pushing on young kids, body image messages, where for girls in particular. You have problems with eating disorders, where they push one message after another. You have messages of self harm, where the algorithms push self harm messages on young girls, and we're seeing really disturbing figures among teenagers. And then on top of that, you've got the espionage risks, the Chinese Communist government has access to all of the information TikTok collects. I think it is a serious, serious threat. I'll tell you on the Commerce Committee, I've already sat down with each of the Republican members on the committee to ask them their priorities, and there was consensus on this side of the aisle that focusing seriously on TikTok is a priority--

MARGARET BRENNAN: As a ban?

SEN. CRUZ: And I think there are a lot of Democrats who are very concerned about it as well as

MARGARET BRENNAN: As a ban or to force the sale of it?

SEN. CRUZ: Well, I- I think all of the options are on the table. And I will tell you, I encourage Maria Cantwell, the Democrat Chairwoman, that I think it makes sense early on for us to have a hearing on TikTok and examine these harms very directly, how it's hurting our kids, and how it's undermining national security. As I said, both Republicans and Democrats are very concerned about the impact of TikTok.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Should America restrict U.S. companies from investing in Chinese industries and key technology sectors?

SEN. CRUZ: Well, I think we should be doing a lot to de-link our supply chain from China, to make it so that we are not dependent on China. We saw during the pandemic, when one of the major Chinese state-owned newspapers threatened to cut off lifesaving pharmaceuticals, things like heart medication that- that people depend upon. And it makes no sense for us to leave the lives of Americans at- at the whim of the Chinese government. I'll tell you in the last Congress, I introduced an amendment on the floor of the Senate to block the United States government from purchasing electric vehicles or batteries that were manufactured using slave labor in concentration camps in China. China has over 1 million Uighurs in concentration camps. And Margaret, sadly, when we voted on it, every Democrat but one, every Democrat but Joe Manchin, voted no. And right now, the Biden administration is one of the largest customers in the world, for the concentration camps that are carrying on murder and torture right now in China. That doesn't make any sense and it's not right.

MARGARET BRENNAN: No- Senator, I want to ask you about something here at home. You also introduced a bill to limit terms to two six-year terms in office for Senators. Why aren't you holding yourself to that standard? You said you're running for a third term.

SEN. CRUZ: Well, listen, I'm a passionate defender of term limits. I think that Congress would work much better if every senator were limited to two terms, if every house member were limited to three terms. I've introduced a constitutional amendment to put that into the Constitution--

MARGARET BRENNAN: But you're still running--

SEN. CRUZ:  And if and when it passes- if and when it passes, I will happily, happily comply. I've never said I'm going to unilaterally comply. I'll tell you what, when the socialists and when the swamp--

MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you running for President? 

SEN. CRUZ: --are ready to leave Washington, I will be more than happy to comply by the same rules that apply for every one. But until then, I'm going to keep fighting for 30 million Texans because they've asked me to do.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I think you've heard me ask if you're running for President.

SEN. CRUZ: I'm running for re-election to the Senate. There's a reason I'm in Texas today. I'm not in Iowa, I'm in Texas, and I'm fighting for 30 million Texans.

MARGARET BRENNAN: All right. Thank you very much, Senator Cruz, for your time today.

Thanks for reading CBS NEWS.

Create your free account or log in
for more features.


Football news:

<!DOCTYPE html>
Kane on Tuchel: A wonderful man, full of ideas. Thomas in person says what he thinks
Zarema about Kuziaev's 350,000 euros a year in Le Havre: Translate it into rubles - it's not that little. It is commendable that he left
Aleksandr Mostovoy on Wendel: Two months of walking around in the middle of nowhere and then coming back and dragging the team - that's top level
Sheffield United have bought Euro U21 champion Archer from Aston Villa for £18.5million
Alexander Medvedev on SKA: Without Gazprom, there would be no Zenit titles. There is a winning wave in the city. The next victory in the Gagarin Cup will be in the spring
Smolnikov ended his career at the age of 35. He became the Russian champion three times with Zenit

3:19 Diamondbacks World Series bettor four wins away from $1 million payout
3:09 Giants legend Carl Banks slams WFAN hosts for Kayvon Thibodeaux rip job
3:01 Struggling Oilers will be missing injured star Connor McDavid vs. Rangers
2:52 Elias Manoel notches hat trick as Red Bulls advance in playoffs
2:48 Disgraceful Karine Jean-Pierre’s words are just callous amid Hamas violence
2:46 SEAN HANNITY: The People's House is now officially back in business
2:42 At least 16 killed in shootings in Maine, law enforcement officials say
2:40 Georgia murder fugitive kills self when police on hunt for other escaped inmates show up at door
2:31 US Auto Workers Union Reaches Preliminary Deal With Ford
2:29 Jayson Tatum shades new Celtics teammate Jrue Holiday: ‘You old’
2:24 Magazine scrubs sections of Jake Sullivan’s essay praising Biden’s performance in the Middle East
2:21 Nets’ opening-night comeback falls short in last-second heartbreaker vs. Cavaliers
2:18 JESSE WATTERS: We have a compromised president in the White House
2:10 Kristaps Porzingis’ late heroics sink Knicks in crushing opening-night loss
2:09 FBI hindered Hunter probe — and David Weiss skipped briefing on Biden bribery allegations, US attorney testifies
1:54 At least 16 killed in shooting in Maine, law enforcement officials says
1:54 At least 16 killed in shooting in Maine, law enforcement officials say
1:51 Sterling Shepard in punt return mix vs. Jets despite Commanders muff
1:47 Craig Counsell’s true Mets intentions are about to become clear
1:45 Tim Wakefield's wife, Stacy, shares powerful message late husband left for her
1:41 Kyle Richards ‘taken aback’ by Mauricio Umansky, ‘DWTS’ partner Emma Slater holding hands: Something is ‘going on there’
1:37 Ford and UAW reach tentative agreement that would end 6-week strike
1:36 LAURA INGRAHAM: This is a propaganda victory for Hamas
1:35 Actor Zachery Ty Bryan pleads guilty to felony assault stemming from domestic violence arrest
1:26 NYC college's Jewish students seen locked inside library as anti-Israel protest moves through building
1:24 Blackpink’s Jisoo and actor Ahn Bo-hyun split after brief romance: report
1:20 Police respond to active shooter in Lewiston, Maine; medical center treating 'mass casualty event'
1:20 At least 22 dead, up to 60 wounded in mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine
1:20 Stream It Or Skip It: ‘30 Coins’ Season 2 on Max, The Return Of This Ambitious Religious Horror Series From Spain (Now With More Paul Giamatti!)
1:19 Panthers' Frank Reich voices support for QB Bryce Young amid winless start: 'We got the guy we wanted'
1:17 NYC driver, 40, charged with attempted murder for shooting at off-duty detective
1:15 Alligator gar caught in Texas weighing 283 pounds shatters multiple records: 'Four in one fell swoop'
1:06 Sen. Tim Scott calls for the deportation of foreign students supporting Hamas 
1:06 More than 10 dead, dozens injured in Lewiston, Maine mass shooting, sources say
1:04 Jets’ defensive line looking to up sack numbers in battle vs. Giants
1:03 John Stamos reveals what Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen said at Bob Saget’s funeral: ‘It was so beautiful’
1:01 See ‘The Crown’ recreate Princess Diana’s historic landmine walk
1:00 Joe Rogan expresses nostalgia for Trump era, says country was 'without a doubt' better than under Biden
1:00 Erika Jayne Reveals ‘RHOBH’s Biggest Pot-Stirrer Now That Lisa Rinna Is Gone: “I Think We All Have Moments”
0:56 US, Australia Reaffirm Shared Values, Cooperation Against Chinese Ambitions 
0:56 Hunter Biden missing from state dinner guest list after backlash for attending others amid legal issues
0:55 Rams coach Sean McVay invokes 'higher power' when talking newborn son: 'There's something special going on'
0:47 Alexis Lafreniere finally could be primed for Rangers’ breakout
0:46 Giant pandas to leave the National Zoo in D.C. for China earlier than expected
0:43 Fans slam Mauricio Umansky for telling Kyle Richards he won’t ‘allow’ any more tattoos
0:42 ‘Southern Charm’ alum Kathryn Dennis’ SUV involved in alleged hit-and-run at elementary school
0:35 No sex please, we’re Gen Z — young viewers want deeper, more unique relationships in film, on TV: study
0:34 Cooper Union barricades Jewish students inside library as pro-Palestine protesters bang on doors
0:34 Active shooter situation in Lewiston, Maine: Police
0:34 UAW reaches tentative labor agreement with Ford
0:33 Giants’ Andrew Thomas practices lightly but unlikely to face Jets
0:31 Active shooter situation in Maine, city residents told to 'stay inside with doors locked'
0:28 Falcons head coach dismisses concerns after Bijan Robinson's surprisingly low usage: 'There's nothing'
0:24 AI predicts a third of breast cancer cases prior to diagnosis in breakthrough mammography study
0:24 UAW reaches tentative deal with Ford: Sources
0:19 Sean McVay’s wife Veronika Khomyn gives birth to baby boy
0:18 Ex-‘incel’ threatened to shoot up ‘chads and stacies’ at University of Arizona: feds
0:17 Florida duo allegedly stabbed man repeatedly, threw him over bridge, stole car and set it on fire: authorities
0:12 Who is Rep. Mike Johnson, the new House speaker?
0:11 Yankees have had 'preliminary' conversations to trade for Juan Soto: report
0:09 California man breaks into Jewish family's home, threatens to kill them, yells 'Free Palestine'
0:08 ‘Breakfast Club’ host DJ Envy has no apologies for promoting a con man newly arrested for fraud
0:08 Biden team sees 2024 opportunity with GOP's new speaker, and more campaign takeaways
0:07 UAW closing in on tentative labor agreement with Ford
0:05 Biden must stop using defense partnerships as an excuse to cut Pentagon spending
0:02 Shakira fans blame karma after singer’s ex Gerard Piqué falls into stage hole: ‘Don’t disrespect the stage queen’
0:00 Obama’s warning to Israel: Letters to the Editor — Oct. 26, 2023
0:00 Clarence Thomas loan for luxury RV was forgiven, Senate Democrats say
0:00 ACLU sues Tennessee for 'criminalizing HIV' with strict prostitution laws
23:59 Who is Rep. Mike Johnson, the House GOP's latest speaker nominee?
23:56 White House state dinner celebrates Australia ties, nods to Israel-Hamas war
23:56 Drone video shows Mexican drug cartels throwing explosives along Texas southern border
23:54 Bear attacks security guard in Aspen hotel, remains on the loose, Colorado wildlife officials say
23:51 Beyoncé shares rare video talking to fans as she unboxes her new perfume: ‘It’s finally here’
23:48 'The Young and Restless' star Christian LeBlanc reveals cancer diagnosis after 'fans caught' sign of disease
23:44 Diana Nyad goes the distance in new film on Cuba-Florida swim feat
23:41 Jewish American students outraged by rising antisemitism in US amid Hamas terror attacks on Israel
23:39 Mike Johnson Won The Worst Job In Washington: Speaker of a Broken House
23:38 Lindsay Clancy, Massachusetts mother who strangled her 3 children, researched 'ways to kill,' court docs say
23:38 Jets’ matchup with Giants a reminder of how quickly things change
23:32 Nikki Haley rips Biden over antisemitism on college campuses — and vows to fix it
23:30 Mel Tucker sexually harassed Brenda Tracy, Michigan State investigation reveals
23:29 Brian Austin Green slams ‘DWTS’ for excluding fiancée Sharna Burgess from Len Goodman tribute
23:24 LeBron James' minutes restriction likley the new norm as superstar enters new chapter
23:21 FDA looking into claim woman died after drinking Panera Bread lemonade
23:20 North Dakota Legislature rewrites budget bill, ending special session in 3 days
23:19 'Squad' Democrats vote against condemning 'barbaric' Hamas attack on Israel
23:18 Wisconsin officials pass new wolf management plan, but population goal absent
23:17 UN chief’s justification for Hamas attacks shows the organization is worse than useless
23:16 Former Congressman Mark Walker drops out of North Carolina gubernatorial race to launch Congressional bid
23:15 Over 70 left ill following multi-state salmonella outbreak tied to onions
23:14 Husband of Cardi B’s manicurist charged with setting wife’s new NYC salon on fire
23:10 Elon Musk rolls out audio, video on X as he seeks to make it an ‘everything app’
23:09 UnScientific American, Trump is yesterday’s man and other commentary
23:09 Customer freed after spending night trapped inside NYC bank vault
23:07 ‘F–k Israel’ graffiti scrawled across Cornell University campus sidewalks
23:03 Dennis Quaid to host Fox Nation series 'Top Combat Pilot' debuting in November
23:00 Don La Greca goes off on ‘weakling’ Chris Russo’s retirement ‘gimmick
23:00 New report shows a majority of students attend schools with high or extreme levels of chronic absence
23:00 Biden administration pushes for a humanitarian 'pause' in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza