Ted Cruz: didn't want backlash to be a 'distraction'

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz took his family on vacation to Cancun, Mexico, this week as his home state was paralyzed by a deadly winter storm, drawing criticism from leaders in both parties and potentially damaging his political ambitions.

The Republican senator said Thursday that he returned to Texas after accompanying his family to Mexico a day earlier only after his daughters asked to go on a trip with friends, given that school was canceled for the week.

"I didn't want all the screaming and yelling about this trip to distract even one moment from the real issues that I think Texans care about, which is keeping all of our families safe," he told reporters outside his home.

(Image Credit: AP)