Collins weighs in on Zimmerman verdict, defunding Obamacare

GAINESVILLE - Ninth District Congressman Doug Collins (R) spent about 30 minutes Monday morning on WDUN's Morning Talk discussing topics such as the defunding of Obamacare and the verdict in the George Zimmerman case.

Discussing the top story in the nation Monday, Collins called the death of Trayvon Martin a "tragic situation," but he said now that a Florida jury has acquitted George Zimmerman of murder, the case should be closed.

"The FBI said last year that there was no racial intent or motivation behind this - this was in a report from the FBI, this is the Department of Justice - and now for the Department of Justice to say 'Well, we're still having an ongoing investigation on whether we want to bring civil rights violations here' [is not right]," said Collins.

The Gainesville Republican is a practicing attorney, and he said no matter how individuals feel about the outcome of the trial, people need to respect the system.

"This is a tragedy, but the jury has spoken," said Collins. "We have the best justice system in the world...and now we need to move forward."

Collins on board with plan to defund Obamacare

While Collins fielded questions on the Farm Bill and social security, callers to the radio program were most concerned about the Congressman's opinions on the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.

Collins said he has signed on to Northwest Georgia Congressman Tom Graves' bill to defund Obamacare.

"We believe through the House, we can do that," said Collins. "We're going to stand firm and there are several avenues where we can work through that, whether it be debt ceiling or other things where we can push to defund Obamacare."

The Congressman pointed to a delay in implementing the business portion of the act as a reason for cutting off funding.

"I mean if you're not going to enforce it for a year, why fund it for the year?"

Graves has introduced the Defund Obamacare Act four times so far, most recently last week, along with Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, in a renewed effort to get the measure passed.

Collins acknowledged that even if the measure passes the House, it will be a challenge for it to succeed in the Senate and the White House.