Cruz said the proof of the shutdown’s success would emerge over the long term and that the strategy had cast a floodlight on Obamacare’s problems, which eventually led to the GOP being favored to retake the Senate this year.

Cruz suggested GOP “graybeards” are failing to give credit where credit is due.

“They’re reaping the fruits of the battle, which is perfectly fine,” Cruz said. “But we need to take a moment to acknowledge the lesson of the battle.”