In Austin, some hospitals faced a loss in water pressure and in some cases, heat. Texas officials ordered seven million people - one-quarter of the population of the nation's second-largest state - to boil tap water before drinking the water, after days of record low temperatures that damaged infrastructure and froze pipes. Hundreds of thousands of people in Texas woke up Thursday to a fourth day without power, and a water crisis was unfolding after winter storms wreaked havoc on the state's power grid and utilities. 'Instead of focusing on relief, they've chosen to go on Fox News to spread lies or to board a plane to Cancun.' Water crisis for Texans 'So many elected leaders in Texas have failed their constituents,' the New York Democrat wrote in an email. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, encouraged her supporters on Thursday to volunteer for a 'welfare check phone bank' to help Texans affected by the storm. One of Cruz's most vocal critics on the left in Washington, Rep. WATCH | Millions of Texans affected by water, power outages as Sen. 'I'm here trying to take care of my family and look after my friends and others that are still without power. 'That's something that he has to answer to his constituents about,' state Republican Party Chairman Allen West said when asked whether Cruz's travel was appropriate while Texans are without power and water. The Texas Democratic Party called on him to resign.

The two-term senator's current term expires in early 2025. president Donald Trump, contemplates the possibility of a second presidential run. The revelation drew immediate criticism from Democrats and Republicans in Texas and beyond as Cruz, a key ally of former U.S. 'We want our power back, our water on, and our homes warm.' Bipartisan backlash

'My staff and I are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas,' Cruz said.

'Wanting to be a good dad, I flew down with them last night and am flying back this afternoon,' Cruz said after The Associated Press and other media outlets had reported details of the trip. Initially when Cruz acknowledged he had travelled to Mexico - leaving his home state as thousands of constituents struggled without power or safe drinking water - he blamed his daughters, aged 10 and 12, for his decision, saying they asked to go on the trip with friends, given that school was cancelled for the week. South, with another blast of winter weather heading to Texas and Arkansas. Duration 4:02 More than 30 people have been killed by extreme weather in the U.S.

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