While Texas freezes, Ted Cruz flies to Cancun...and back again

[View in browser]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter]( February 18, 2021 There are many reasons you should not travel to Mexico right now. Especially if you're a United States senator representing a state that is currently experiencing a crisis requiring aid from FEMA. The most obvious reason is that you risk spreading the coronavirus to people there, or getting sick yourself. The CDC [strongly discourages]( travel to Mexico, where the COVID-19 level is very high, and requires a negative COVID test for travelers returning to the United States. Generally speaking, international travel during a pandemic is a bad idea. So no, Dinesh D'Souza, traveling to Mexico and risking infecting Ted Cruz's constituents upon his return is not "[the best thing]( [Cruz] could do for the state right now." One idea for Cruz: Take a cue from Beto O'Rourke and [host a virtual event]( where volunteers reach out to senior citizens and guide them to resources that can keep them warm and fed. Better than nothing! [Even]( [conservatives]( admit that Cruz's request for security assistance from the Houston Police Department upon arrival at the airport on Wednesday was not a good look. Voters tend to have short memories. Let's hope this sticks in their minds until 2024. —Abigail Weinberg Advertisement [Domini Impact Investments]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [As Millions of Texans Freeze, Ted Cruz Jetted Off to Cancun]( His office remains deafeningly silent on the senator's whereabouts. BY INAE OH [Trending] [Democrats just introduced their sweeping immigration reform bill]( BY ISABELA DIAS [A small Georgia town was trying to play by the rules. The state seized its vaccines anyway.]( BY KIERA BUTLER [As Democrats debate how to raise the minimum wage, Republicans offer a "distraction"]( BY ABIGAIL WEINBERG [The Trump campaign's law firm admits it was hacked]( BY AJ VICENS Advertisement [Domini Impact Investments]( [The Big Feature] [Special Feature]( [Mr. Biden, Tear Down This Wall!]( The president has halted construction on Trump's barrier. Activists and residents on the border say that’s not enough. BY TIM MURPHY [Fiercely Independent] Support from readers allows Mother Jones to do journalism that doesn't just follow the pack. [Donate]( [Recharge] SOME GOOD NEWS, FOR ONCE [Texas Is Still Powerless, Heatless, Waterless. But a Growing Group of Chefs Are Freely Distributing Food and Cash.]( The situation in Texas is so grim—millions without power, heat, water, food—that any act of community support needs amplifying and multiplying. Against the storm’s backdrop are volunteer efforts by chef José Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen has partnered with local eateries to freely feed people affected by outages. His nonprofit has [distributed]( 2,000 meals to residents of senior living homes without power. And it’s not enough. As we continue to learn what’s disastrously wrong at the level of emergency management and systems of accountability (much of it [well-aired](), mobilization continues, including in [this related story]( of giveaways by Boombox Taco Truck. The truck is feeding nearly 1,000 families. Truck owners had no power themselves for days before opening to hand out 2,400 tacos at eight apartment complexes. Learn [more]( about Boombox. Or about [restaurant owner]( Max Bozeman II of Greasy Spoon Soulfood Bistro, who’s giving away $10,000 to families needing food and shelter all while battling medical challenges of his own. Follow his giveaways on [Instagram](. If you live in storm-battered states or have friends and family who do—and there’s good news—reach us at recharge@motherjones.com. —Daniel King Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755