Texas Senator Ted Cruz flew to Mexico with his family amid a winter weather crisis that has left millions in his state without power.
In a statement on Thursday, Mr Cruz said that he planned the trip for his daughters, “wanting to be a good dad”.
Photos of the Republican lawmaker at an airport emerged on Twitter on Wednesday, fuelling reports that he had left Texas amid the energy crisis.
Texas has seen power and water outages due to the uncommonly frigid weather.
The high profile Republican has drawn quick criticism for taking an international trip amid the weather emergency in his state.
“People in Texas are literally freezing to death and yet Ted Cruz went on vacation to Cancun,” wrote Democratic Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal on Twitter.
How has Cruz defended his trip?
In a written statement released on Thursday afternoon, Mr Cruz described an “infuriating week for Texans”.
With schools closed in the state, the senator said he booked the vacation for his young daughters who “asked to take a trip with friends”.
Mr Cruz did not apologise for making the trip amid the state of emergency in Texas, but said that he and his staff “are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas.”
The Republican will be returning to Texas on Thursday afternoon, according to his statement. It is not clear if his return flight was originally scheduled for Thursday or is a change in plans.
As a federal lawmaker, Mr Cruz does not have a direct role in Texas’ emergency response, but residents often reach out to their elected officials – like Mr Cruz – during natural disasters for help accessing resources.
The Houston Police Department told CBS News that a member of Mr Cruz’s staff contacted authorities on Wednesday to request assistance upon Mr Cruz’s arrival at Houston’s international airport.
The senator arrived at the airport on Wednesday, Chief Art Acevedo said, and officers “monitored his movements through the terminal”.
What’s the reaction been?
The senator’s travel plans amid the crisis in Texas drew immediate criticism online.
“Ted Cruz not only fled the state while millions of vulnerable Texans are without heat and water but specifically diverted police resources to get him through security and crowds faster for his outgoing vacation flight,” wrote progressive rights activist Charlotte Clymer on Twitter.
Journalist David Shuster shared a photo of a man who appears to be Mr Cruz boarding a plane, noting that millions of Texans “remain without electricity/water and are literally freezing”.
