Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-FL) called Senate Democrats "knuckleheads" in a recent appearance on Fox News as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) drags on for over 50 days.
While the Senate was able to pass a funding bill that excluded additional funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Rep. Patronis claims they "sent [the House] a bad bill. It was just not adequate. The Senate Democrats have been just uncooperative."
Rep. Patronis emphasized that "we really need reconciliation to start first" and also commended President Donald Trump for "robbing from Peter to pay Paul to make sure our employees are getting paid through this crazy crisis created by Schumer and the Democrats."
The Florida congressman did not leave out the possibility that Democrats are intentionally dragging out the shutdown as a fundraising scheme.
He stated that he personally would be willing to go back to Washington to "hammer this out," yet "those knuckleheads over there [in the Senate] do not care. All they know is, if Trump Derangement Syndrome raises them money with their base, they are going to continue to drag out this government so they can continue to send the emails and the texts to the crazies who hate Donald Trump, so they can try to figure out a way to win in the midterms."
He expressed opposition to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) passing the new funding bill so reconciliation can occur.
"That is essentially saying that while we negotiate and get the government open, there is going to be no dollars spent on protecting the border in any way or shape," Patronis commented. "Or you might as well be taking all the locks off the gates on the borders. That is exactly what the Senate sent us, and that is just a non-starter in the House of Representatives."
