Patronis: Shutdown Vote Could Come Today, Defends Trump on Second Amendment

Escambia County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Congressman Jimmy Patronis says a vote to end the partial government shutdown could come as early as today, but weather delays and a slim Republican majority could complicate matters.

Patronis, who represents Florida's 1st Congressional District, was traveling to Washington for the vote. He described the situation as an "80 percent partial shutdown" affecting Department of Homeland Security agencies.

"TSA, Border Protection, FEMA, Coast Guard, U.S. Customs Immigration, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Agency, United States Secret Service," Patronis said. "These are the items that right now don't have operating capital."

Patronis said the agencies are still operating but aren't funded. He said the timing of a vote depends on when members can arrive in Washington after thousands of flight cancellations over the weekend.

The congressman acknowledged Republicans face challenges with their razor-thin House majority, which shrank further this week after a Democrat won a special election in Texas.

"It is what it is," Patronis said. "It's going to be a challenge here the rest of the year."

Patronis also addressed criticism of President Trump's comments following the fatal shooting of a man legally carrying a concealed firearm at an immigration protest in Minnesota. Gun rights supporters have expressed frustration with Trump and other administration officials over their response.

Patronis called Trump "the most pro-Second Amendment president we've had since Reagan" and said the comments were meant to defuse tensions.

"He might as well be a manager of a restaurant trying to make customers happy," Patronis said. "Sometimes you're just going to say whatever you need to say to take the temperature down."

Patronis pointed to Trump's elimination of the $200 tax on suppressors as evidence of his support for gun rights and predicted the president would soon take action to reassure Second Amendment supporters.