Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) called for a proper assessment to prevent future tragedies such as the flash flooding in Texas, asking that this not dissolve into “partisan games.” 

Cruz addressed the flooding in central Texas, saying the state “is grieving” in the aftermath of the disaster. While answering questions from the press, Cruz said some things are “predictable” following natural disasters, including politicians “trying to blame their political opponents.”

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The senator’s comments came after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) asked for an investigation into whether cuts at the National Weather Service affected the response time to the flooding. At least 82 people died in the floods.

“And you see that with the hurricane, with the tornado, with the wildfire, and with this flooding, where people immediately say, ‘Well, the hurricane is Donald Trump’s fault.’ You know, look, I think most normal Americans know that’s ridiculous, and I think this is not a time for partisan finger-pointing and attacks,” Cruz said.

“Now, after we come through search and rescue, after we come through the process of rebuilding, there will naturally be a period of retrospection where you look back and say ‘ok, what exactly transpired, what was the timeline, and what could have been done differently to prevent this loss of life,’” Cruz said.

The senator said this assessment ought to be conducted in “a reasonable sense” rather than a “bitter and partisan sense” to find “what lessons can we learn.”

Cruz praised the state’s “inspiring” response, saying, “Texans come together.” He said over 850 high-water rescues have been carried out since the flooding started.

CENTRAL TEXAS FLASH FLOODS LEAVE MORE THAN 80 DEAD: WHAT TO KNOW

The Department of Homeland Security has pushed back against accusations of a slow response, saying the media is “deliberately lying.”

President Donald Trump signed a “Major Disaster Declaration” for Texas on Sunday. The president said his administration, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, is working alongside state and local officials following the “unimaginable tragedy.”