By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – One of Donald Trump’s toughest critics in the Republican Party isn’t backing off that stance, even as the election draws closer.

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Channahon, told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin every once in a while he’ll hear something from he can support from the GOP’s presumed nominee for president.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Kinzinger on WJBC. 

“Every day, it’s like when you like you can get here… my threshold for supporting him is really low,” Kinzinger said. “Just act like a president. But, everyday it continues to get tougher.”

Kinzinger said he understands why some in the party are desperate for an alternative. That alternative just won’t be him. Still, Kinzinger says if a viable candidate comes forward, he might support them.

“Do I think it’s going to happen? No, I think it’s very, very slim right now,” Kinzinger said. “But you never know, if Trump keeps saying some of the things he is saying, people may see this person as the alternative.”

Kinzinger didn’t say who that might be. He added a third candidate would simply have to win enough states to prevent either candidate from reaching 270 electoral votes. In that case, the White House would be decided by the Republican-controlled House.

Defense

Kinzinger said a new defense spending bill the House approved last week ensures our military is properly equipped, and also provides help for some who have aided the U.S. military.

“We got some help for the special immigrant visas so the people who work as translators for the military overseas, a lot of them were rejected from coming here even though they were promised of that,” Kinzinger said.

The measure, which awaits a vote in the Senate, pays for two-percent military pay raises and sets troop levels at 1.3 million active duty military and about 800,000 National Guard and reserves.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].