U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger said he is backing Jeb Bush for President in 2016. (Photo courtesy Facebook/Adam Kinzinger)

By Eric Stock

CHANNAHON – U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger said he disagrees with the Republican Party's attempt to hold Homeland Security funding in limbo to try to block President Obama's order on immigration.

That fight is ongoing even after a judge blocked the President's order which would have helped up to five million undocumented immigrants obtain work permits and avoid deportation.

Kinzinger told WJBC's Scott Laughlin, linking immigration to homeland security funding might not be the best way to go, but congressional Republicans were left with few options to stop the order.

"I thought he overstepped his bounds, but (Congress) decided to pass the omnibus bill for the rest of the year and then just do a short continuing resolution on DHS and deal with it then," Kinzinger said.

Even if homeland security funding is stripped, DHS employees would still go to work as 'essential employees' – they just wouldn't get paid.

"This court decision really gives us an opportunity to say the Republicans who were rightly upset about the President's order and many independents and say 'this is going to be fought out in the courts and I think that's the appropriate place to do it,"Kinzinger said.

Bush endorsement

No candidate has formally declared for the 2016 presidential election, but that's not stopping Kinzinger from endorsing former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has Kinzinger's endorsement.

"I really like Jeb Bush," Kinzinger said. "I think he's very articulate. He's running a primary campaign based on a general election which I think is important."

Kinzinger said Bush is both the best candidate for the country and the Republican with the best chance to win. He said Bush could help the GOP with the crucial Hispanic vote. Bush has been a more moderate voice on immigration.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen's interview with Kinzinger on WJBC.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].