While Texans struggle to keep warm amid power outages caused by historic winter weather, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was spotted Wednesday boarding a plane for Cancun with members of his family.

Photographs from multiple sources appeared to show Cruz in a mask standing in the boarding area for a United flight at Houstons George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and then on the plane itself holding a passport.

In a statement issued early Thursday afternoon, the senator admitted to traveling for pleasure.

Like millions of Texans, our family lost heat and power, too, Cruz said. Because his daughters school was canceled due to the weather, Cruz and his wife, Heidi, decided to allow them to take a trip with friends.

Wanting to be a good dad, I flew down with them last night and am flying back this afternoon, the senator said. Given the ongoing threat of the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against nonessential travel to most areas of the world, including Mexico.

Cruz assured constituents that he and members of his staff are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas.

Multiple outlets and reporters said earlier Thursday that Cruzs destination was Cancun. A passenger identified as CRU, R. was also spotted on the list of people waiting to upgrade seats for the United flight to Cancun. (The senators full name is Raphael Edward Cruz.)

On Thursday morning, CRU, R. was spotted on a list of passengers awaiting the same upgrade on a flight from Cancun back to Houston.

He was later seen making his way through the airport amid a flurry of cameras.