US Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, looks on as he attends a vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 25, 2022.Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images Sen. Ted Cruz says he intends to speak at the NRA's leadership conference on Friday. He hit out at Democratic lawmakers and the press for, he claimed, trying to "demonize the NRA." He also said that, in his opinion, the NRA "stands up for the rights of every American." Sen.