The Dr. Seuss story “Green Eggs and Ham” was invoked by Sen. Ted Cruz during his unofficial “fillibuster” on Tuesday evening.
He read the book to his children on the Senate floor.
“It’s bed time, giving mommy a kiss, brush your teeth and say your prayers,” the Republican Texas senator said, according to Townhall.com. “Daddy is going to be home soon to read to you in person.”
He said his father invented the dish.
“I will credit my father: He invented -- this wasn’t for the restaurant, but he did it anyway -- he invented green eggs and ham,” Cruz said, according to the Huffington Post.
Cruz added that his dad could make the dish with food coloring or spinach.
The Post reported that Cruz’s father, Rafael, came to the U.S. in 1957, while Suess’s book was published three years later.
Earlier, Cruz said that he would talk until he cannot “stand anymore.”
Cruz was holding the Senate event to prevent the Senate from debating to remove a clause in House bill that would defund Obamacare and stop a government shutdown.
Many Senate Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, urged him not to carry it out.
