Babin, Cruz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect MQ-9 Capabilities and Preserve Air National Guard Readiness
Pursue legislation to protect MQ-9 capabilities and preserve Air National Guard readiness.
Occurrences
Evidence
The Houston Chronicle reported that Sen. Ted Cruz, with Sens. Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, filed legislation to prevent the Air Force from moving MQ-9 Reaper drones and personnel away from Air National Guard bases such as Ellington Field, citing the units' role in Texas flood response and operations abroad. The report does not identify any Babin filing.
Assessments
This promise was about pursuing legislation, not necessarily enacting a final policy outcome. Official House evidence shows that on June 4, 2026, Rep. Brian Babin introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Chrissy Houlahan to protect MQ-9 capabilities and preserve Air National Guard readiness. That directly matches the promised action and gives Babin clear candidate credit in his current federal office. The related June 6, 2026 reporting centered on Sen. Ted Cruz’s Senate filing, but the House-side Babin introduction means the promise was fulfilled in the same term as an action promise.