Cruz under fire for going to Cancún while constituents freeze | First Thing

Texas senator rebuked over decision to fly to Cancun while constituents endured food, power and water shortages. Plus, Nasa successfully lands a rover on Mars

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Good morning.

The Texas senator Ted Cruz has come under fire for going on holiday to a sunny Mexican tourist resort while millions of his constituents face water, food and power shortages from a deadly winter storm. Cruz implied that he had only taken the nearly 1,000-mile flight on Wednesday to accompany his children on the plane, despite having large quantities of luggage. Back in Texas, he admitted it was obviously a mistake" as protesters gathered outside his house. He had reportedly planned to return on Saturday, but hastily changed his flights and headed back on Thursday as the backlash grew.