Dem Rep. argues Wendy Davis, not Cruz, launched greatest filibuster

The freshman Democrat took a page out of rapper Kanye West’s playbook when he interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the Video Music Awards in 2009.

Ted Cruz, Ima let you finish but… pic.twitter.com/zDSNK8HrAX

— Mark Takano (@RepMarkTakano) September 24, 2013

Cruz has launched an hours-long speech Tuesday on the Senate floor ahead of a vote to fund the government through the end of the year. Davis boosted her profile earlier this year by filibustering a bill in the Texas state House against a restrictive abortion bill.  

{mosads}While Cruz agrees with the overall spending bill passed by the House last week, he is protesting a Democratic tactic to strip the bill of language defunding ObamaCare. A vote to proceed to the bill will be held Wednesday with final votes on passage likely to drag into the weekend. 

The government will shutdown on Oct. 1 if no bill is passed and signed by President Obama. 

A few Democrats have taken to twitter to blast Cruz’s effort.

Ted Cruz said he would go to Washington and change Washington.  He has — he’s made it worse.

— Joaquin Castro  (@JoaquinCastrotx) September 24, 2013

Cruz has split with GOP leadership in the Senate about voting against a bill that Republicans ultimately supports because of a procedural disagreement.   

But he has received encouragement from a number of Republicans on Twitter, including Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who held his own marathon filibuster in March.

I might try to sneak him some candy.  #MakeDCListen @SenTedCruz

— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) September 24, 2013

Paul and two other GOP senators — Mike Lee (Utah) and David Vitter (La.) — joined him briefly on the Senate floor. Even Chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus gave Cruz support. 

In a fight between Harry Reid and Ted Cruz, I stand with Ted Cruz any day. #MakeDCListen #StandWithTed

— Reince Priebus (@Reince) September 24, 2013

Shining example of how our Republic should work – @SenTedCruz on Senate floor. Tune in via @cspan. #cspanchat #DefundObamacare

— Rep. Todd Rokita (@ToddRokita) September 24, 2013

At 1:41 @SenTedCruz started filibuster against #ObamaCare.Vows to go “until I am no longer able to stand.” http://t.co/CPUgEC5Tpe #teaparty

— Joe Barton (@RepJoeBarton) September 24, 2013

Are you watching @SenTedCruz right now? #Obamacare #trainwreck

— Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) September 24, 2013

I support @SenTedCruz in his fight to defund Obamacare in the Senate. #MakeDCListen #StandWithCruz

— Jim Bridenstine (@RepJBridenstine) September 24, 2013

.@SenTedCruz doing a gr8 job on Senate floor defending Americans against #obamacare. #keepcruzing

— Rep. Trey Radel (@treyradel) September 24, 2013

— This post was updated at 5:35 p.m.