HOUSTON — In his first local TV interview since the government shutdown ended, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz sat down with KHOU 11’s Marcelino Benito, placing blame squarely on Democrats and warning the shutdown fight may not be over.

Cruz called the 43-day shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, “reckless and irresponsible,” but said he’s relieved Democrats “finally surrendered” and agreed to reopen the government.

“After 43 days, eight Democrats said, ‘OK, we’ve inflicted enough pain on the American people. We’ll allow the government to open,’” Cruz told KHOU 11. “Sadly, the American people paid the price.”

Cruz pointed to 15 failed votes to reopen the government before a deal was struck that funds federal operations only through January 30. That, he says, sets up another potential showdown.

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