<p>Senator and presidential candidate Ted Cruz, showing a willingness to buck the establishment and indeed tradition, went on the Senate floor and called Senate leader Mitch McConnell a liar.  ;This is contrary to Senate Rule XIX: &#8220;No Senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator,&#8221; and is punishable by an order to &#8220;sit down and shut up&#8221; (which did not occur in this case&#8230;).</p>
<p>The issue in question was an accusation by Cruz that McConnell has told the press there was no deal to allow a vote to renew the federal Export-Import bank, which is litte known outside of the financial world but a point of controversy in conservative circles.  ;Cruz delivered his remarks moments after McConnell announced a vote on the Export-Import Bank in the coming days.</p>
<p>Cruz said ;&#8220;&#8230;It saddens me to say this. I sat in my office, I told my staff the majority leader looked me in the eye and looked 54 Republicans in the eye. I cannot believe he would tell a flat-out lie&#8230;&#8221; ;</p>
<p>We believe Cruz may be taking a cue from the Trump camp and will be making more bold moves in defense of his principles as his presidential campaign continues.  ; Not that Cruz is a stranger to bold moves.  ;Cruz took a lot of heat for causing a 16-day government shutdown in 2013, standing up for his values, rallying conservative support and filibustering budget discussions.  ;</p>
<p>Most presidential candidates try to avoid controversy since conventional wisdom says they should appear &#8220;presidential.&#8221;  ;With Trump&#8217;s acceptance of controversy and his current lead in the polls, other candidates may have more leeway in generating press through controversy, and Cruz is certainly adept.</p>
<p>Cruz&#8217;s strategy appears to be paying off, his SuperPAC Keep the Promise just garnered support from two Texas oil billionaires Farris and Dan Wilkes to the tune of $15 million.</p>
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