Contact: Jeff Leieritz (202) 905-2104              [email protected]

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 2 – Presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) addressed and responded to questions from members of a coalition of major nationwide business groups in a TeleForum today. Cruz answered questions from members of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Associated General Contractors, Business-Industry Political Action Committee, National Association of Manufacturers, National Federation of Independent Business and National Retail Federation.

“The construction industry is reliant on a healthy overall economy and more economic growth leads to more construction jobs and more work for ABC member companies,” said ABC President and CEO Michael Bellaman. “Our industry faces many impediments to economic growth including the highest effective tax rate of any industry, a cumbersome regulatory environment, growing shortage of appropriately skilled workers and the challenge of finding affordable health care coverage for employees amid rising costs.

“ABC was founded upon a philosophy that embraces free enterprise and our members will support the candidate that will put together the best plan for economic growth and a fair and level playing field for merit shop contractors,” said Bellaman. “We are pleased to provide the opportunity to discuss important issues affecting the construction industry with Sen. Cruz and appreciate the senator taking the time to explain his plan to grow the economy directly with our members.”

The 2016 election cycle marks the third consecutive presidential campaign cycle that candidates have addressed and responded to questions from ABC members.

Sen. Cruz is the third presidential candidate to accept the coalition of business groups’ invitation to address and answer questions from its members, following a Nov. 4 TeleForum with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and a Nov. 17 TeleForum with Gov. Jeb Bush. The other candidates invited to speak with the groups are (in alphabetical order):

• Dr. Ben Carson
• Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
• Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina
• Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
• Ohio Governor John Kasich
• Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)
• Businessman Donald Trump

The candidates qualified for the initial invitation by maintaining at least four percent in the Real Clear Politics average of polls during the period starting from the first GOP debate and ending on Labor Day. Should additional candidates average at least four percent for a 30-day time period prior to the start of voting, an invitation to participate will be sent to them.