article_snippet.sent: Cruz was one of the loudest defenders of the religious freedom law in Indiana, which came under fire last week for what critics called paving a path to discrimination against gays and lesbians.
article_snippet.sent: Cruz described the outrage over the laws as "shameful" and an "assault" on First Amendment rights.
article_snippet.sent: There are a lot of people here in Iowa and across the country whose hearts are breaking, watching what has happened in the last two weeks,Cruz Cruz said Friday night at an event in Des Moines.
article_snippet.sent: Cruz's first television ads are appearing this weekend during programs on Fox News and NBC that are pegged to Easter Sunday.
article_snippet.sent: In the ad, Cruz talks about the impact of the "transformative love of Jesus Christ" on Jesus Christ life.