Ted Cruz Warns Democratic Party’s Leftward Shift Is Blocking Bipartisan Action, Names ‘Most Powerful Democrat’

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz says fear of the Democratic Party’s growing progressive wing is making bipartisan cooperation increasingly difficult, particularly on permitting reform.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, argued that the Democratic Party’s growing progressive movement is making it harder for lawmakers from both parties to work together on permitting reform and other issues where bipartisan agreement might otherwise be possible.

“That dynamic is dangerous right now because they are terrified of the extreme left. Finding a middle ground on ideological issues right now is … the prospects for success, particularly between now and election day, are not high,” Cruz said at an energy summit hosted Thursday by the Club for Growth and Arnold Ventures.

“Schumer is truly terrified right now,” he added, referring to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Cruz’s comments highlight the potential impact of the progressive surge ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, particularly on Democratic leaders in Congress who may be trying to balance traditional party priorities with pressure from an increasingly influential left-wing faction.

“They’re in the middle of a revolution,” Cruz said. “Their problem is that they’re very driven by their interest groups. They’re captured by their activists.”

Cruz made the remarks while speaking at an energy affordability summit hosted by the Club for Growth, a free-market organization that promotes limited government. Permitting reform was a major focus of the gathering, an issue where Republicans and Democrats have identified areas of potential common ground.

Although lawmakers continue to disagree over the scope of regulatory changes and how aggressively permitting rules should be revised, participants emphasized that bipartisan efforts to reduce bureaucratic obstacles could make it easier to develop energy projects across the United States.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright pointed to nuclear power as one area where Republicans and Democrats could potentially find common ground. He argued that regulatory barriers have slowed the development of nuclear energy, despite its growing importance as an alternative to fossil fuels.

“We have built three new nuclear reactors in like the last 40 years. It went quickly from: we didn’t even know about the technology, to 20% of U.S. electric generation from nuclear reactors,” Wright said.

“We created the Nuclear Regulatory Commission… in the name of safety, no malintent. But since that creation, we’ve built almost no reactors in the United States since. If it’s so uncertain and so long to permit something, it’s just not worth investing in. That’s awful! Nuclear is just an awesome energy technology.”

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, said much of the permitting debate has focused less on partisan disputes and more on the practical question of how reforms could actually be implemented.

“There’s a lot of conversations going on not about who’s going to fight with whom or who is going to take credit for it, but rather what is the mechanics of getting it done,” Moreno said at the Club for Growth event.

Moreno also argued that successful permitting reform could deliver benefits that appeal to lawmakers across the political spectrum.

“When it comes to permitting reform, if we can actually pull this off, Scott, what does it mean? It means lower energy prices for all Americans, us taking better care of our environment, being good stewards for the next generation. Those are worthy goals that should unite all of us, and I’m hopeful that we can get that done,” Moreno said, speaking to conservative commentator Scott Jennings, who moderated the event.

Despite the optimism expressed by several participants, including Cruz, the Texas senator cautioned that the influence of progressive lawmakers and activists within the Democratic Party could make bipartisan negotiations more difficult.

“It is not the case that every Senate Democrat is a Marxist or Islamist. What is the case is that every Senate Democrat is terrified of the Marxists and Islamists. Because that’s where the energy is in their party, that’s where the power is, that’s where the money is; it’s where the young people are. I think Mamdani is the single most powerful Democrat in the country,” Cruz said, referring to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Mamdani, a self-described socialist, has become a prominent figure on the Democratic Party’s left. Since his rise to power earlier this year, several candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America have won significant primary contests, including races in which longtime Democratic incumbents were defeated.

Among the notable contests was the New York race involving socialist candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier, who defeated Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., a longtime member of Congress and former chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

In Colorado, another socialist candidate, Melat Kiros, defeated Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., who had represented her district for three decades.

Cruz argued that the growing strength of progressive candidates is creating additional pressure on Democratic lawmakers who might otherwise be inclined to cooperate with Republicans.

He said that political pressure makes it increasingly difficult for Democrats to distance themselves from the party’s progressive activists and candidates.

Cruz also questioned whether Democratic leaders are prepared to challenge the momentum of the party’s left flank.

“Look, Schumer is known for a lot of things but acts of principle and courage are not among them,” Cruz said.