Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has identified New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani as "the single most powerful Democrat in the country," asserting that progressive activists and their agenda are exerting significant influence over the Democratic Party. Cruz stated at an energy summit hosted by Club for Growth on Thursday that this progressive momentum is creating fear among establishment Democrats, thereby hindering bipartisan collaboration on legislative matters, particularly before the upcoming midterm elections.
"They are terrified of the extreme left. Finding a middle ground on ideological issues right now is… the prospects for success, particularly between now and election day, are not high," Cruz said. He described the situation as a "revolution" within the Democratic Party, driven by interest groups and activists.
Cruz's remarks were made during an address focused on energy affordability and permitting reform, an area where he noted some bipartisan overlap exists. However, he contended that the influence of progressives, whom he characterized as "Marxists and Islamists," forces Senate Democrats to align with their agenda.
"It is not the case that every Senate Democrat is a Marxist or Islamist. What is the case is that every Senate Democrat is terrified of the Marxists and Islamists. Because that’s where the energy is in their party, that’s where the power is, that’s where the money is; it’s where the young people are," Cruz stated.
The senator pointed to recent primary election results as evidence of this progressive surge. He cited the victories of progressive candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), including Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York's 13th Congressional District and Melat Kiros in Colorado, who unseated incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo.
Despite these concerns, speakers at the energy summit, including Cruz himself, expressed optimism about the potential for bipartisan agreement on permitting reform. Energy Secretary Chris Wright highlighted regulatory hurdles that have impeded the expansion of nuclear energy, an area that has seen bipartisan support. "We have built three new nuclear reactors in like the last 40 years," Wright noted, attributing the slowdown to the creation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and subsequent permitting complexities.
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, also emphasized the practical aspects of permitting reform. "There’s a lot of conversations going on not about who’s going to fight with whom or who is going to take credit for it, but rather what is the mechanics of getting it done," Moreno said. He added that successful reform could lead to lower energy prices and improved environmental stewardship.
Cruz, however, maintained that the pervasive influence of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party presents a significant obstacle to such collaborative efforts. He suggested that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is hesitant to take principled stands due to these pressures.