DID TEXAS LEADERS NEGLECT FLOOD MANAGEMENT? As questions grow about what could have been done to prevent this deadly tragedy, #TheView co-hosts weigh in on Texas Sen. Ted Cruz saying it’s not a time for finger-pointing.
DID TEXAS LEADERS NEGLECT FLOOD MANAGEMENT? As Questions Grow About Preventable Tragedy, ‘The View’ Co-Hosts Clash Over Accountability and Cruz’s Call to “Stop Finger-Pointing”
As devastating floodwaters continue to recede across parts of Texas, a different kind of storm is brewing—this one political. With more than 60 lives lost and billions in damages across multiple counties, serious questions are now being raised about whether the tragedy could have been prevented through more robust infrastructure and proactive flood management. At the center of the controversy? Texas leaders, including Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who is now under fire for saying, “This is not a time for finger-pointing.”
But on The View this week, the co-hosts had no intention of letting the issue slide without scrutiny.
A Flood of Failures?
The historic rainfall, which began in late June and intensified into early July, led to widespread destruction in Houston, San Antonio, and several smaller rural communities across Southeast Texas. Dams overflowed, creeks turned into raging rivers, and thousands of homes were submerged.
According to emergency response data, more than 200,000 Texans were displaced, with many now living in temporary shelters or out of their vehicles. But as the waters subsided, what was revealed wasn’t just broken levees—it was a broken system.
Multiple reports indicate that state and local officials had been warned for years about inadequate flood control systems, outdated drainage infrastructure, and insufficient disaster preparedness, especially in historically vulnerable areas.
Ted Cruz: “This Is Not the Time for Finger-Pointing”
In a press conference held in Austin on July 10, Senator Ted Cruz addressed growing public outrage over the lack of preparedness:
“This is not the time for finger-pointing. Texans need unity, compassion, and relief—not politics. Let’s focus on helping victims and rebuilding communities before playing the blame game.”
His statement sparked an immediate backlash—especially among those directly affected by the disaster. Social media erupted with criticism, with hashtags like #CruzCoverUp and #TexasNeglected trending nationwide.
And on ABC’s The View, the panel did not hold back.
Sunny Hostin: “If Not Now, When?”
Co-host and legal analyst Sunny Hostin was the first to push back on Cruz’s statement.
“I’m sorry, but if not now, when do we ask why? People have died. Families are shattered. If those deaths could have been prevented with better infrastructure or planning, then this is exactly the time to ask tough questions.”
Hostin cited a 2022 report by the Texas Flood Preparedness Commission that warned state leaders about vulnerable levees, poor urban drainage design, and the need for billions in infrastructure upgrades.
“They knew this could happen,” Hostin added. “And they did not act. That’s not politics. That’s negligence.”
Alyssa Farah Griffin: “We Have to Help First, Then Investigate”
Conservative co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin took a more measured approach, aligning somewhat with Cruz’s sentiment.
“Look, I completely agree that accountability matters—but there are still people clinging to what’s left of their homes. The focus right now should be relief. The investigations and hearings will come.”
Farah emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation in times of crisis and warned against using the tragedy as a political weapon.
“It’s easy to play the blame game after a disaster, but what matters most now is mobilizing state and federal aid efficiently.”
Joy Behar: “Cruz Says Don’t Point Fingers—Probably Because They’d Point at Him!”
Veteran co-host Joy Behar, known for her sharp tongue and progressive commentary, did not mince words.
“Ted Cruz says not to point fingers probably because he knows they’d be pointing directly at him.”
Behar referenced Cruz’s infamous trip to Cancun during the 2021 Texas winter storm crisis and slammed him for having “a pattern of dodging responsibility” whenever Texas faces disaster.
“He’s allergic to accountability. If this was New York, you bet we’d be holding leaders to the fire—and we should expect no less from Texas.”
Whoopi Goldberg: “Accountability Is Not the Enemy of Compassion”
Moderating the heated discussion, Whoopi Goldberg struck a balance between immediate relief efforts and long-term accountability.
“Nobody’s saying stop helping people. But asking why the system failed is not opposed to helping victims—it’s part of making sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Goldberg stressed that local and state governments must be prepared for increasingly frequent extreme weather due to climate change.
“We’ve seen this story before—in Katrina, in Sandy, in Ida. How many more times before we actually fix what’s broken?”
Could This Tragedy Have Been Prevented?
Experts believe so.
According to climate researchers from the University of Texas, a combination of outdated flood maps, unregulated urban development, and underfunded flood mitigation programs directly contributed to the disaster’s scale.
A 2023 audit of Texas’ emergency management protocols revealed that only 28% of the state’s flood control projects had been completed, despite federal funds being made available after Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
Houston-based civil engineer Carla Martinez told ABC News:
“We’ve been screaming into the void for years. More retention ponds, stronger levees, better warning systems—none of that happened fast enough. This was a man-made disaster as much as it was a natural one.”
Public Trust in Crisis
With the 2026 midterms approaching, the fallout from the flood could have serious political consequences for Texas lawmakers.
Texans across political lines have expressed frustration over how long it took for rescue efforts to reach some of the hardest-hit rural areas. Some communities reported waiting over 48 hours for emergency relief.
In a recent Quinnipiac poll, 62% of Texans surveyed said they believed “state leaders did not adequately prepare for the flood,” and 54% said they support a full independent investigation into how funds were allocated for flood management projects.
A Moment of Reckoning
The View’s conversation is just one echo of a growing national debate. Was this disaster simply the result of unprecedented weather—or was it the predictable outcome of years of political inaction and misplaced priorities?
For many Texans who lost homes, businesses, and loved ones, the answer is clear.
As Whoopi Goldberg concluded on Thursday’s episode:
“It’s not about finger-pointing. It’s about responsibility. That’s what leadership is supposed to be.”
Final Thoughts
The Texas flood of 2025 is a tragedy—one marked by heartbreak, heroism, and now, heated political debate. Whether or not Senator Ted Cruz or other Texas leaders failed to act decisively will be a question for the courts, the legislature, and the people.
But as The View made clear this week, asking the question is not only fair—it’s necessary.
Because if we don’t learn from these disasters, we’re doomed to repeat them. And the people of Texas deserve better than another round of “thoughts and prayers.” They deserve action. They deserve answers.