Adam Kinzinger: Lawmakers may pass spending measure without immigration deal

Rep. Adam Kinzinger said Wednesday that even if a deal on immigration isn’t reached by Friday, lawmakers may still be able to pass a funding measure.

“I think if the outlines of the deal come forward and it appears we’re going to be able get to something, then maybe at that point we’ll get to a clean CR,” Mr. Kinzinger, Illinois Republican, said on CNN.

Democrats have threatened to withhold support from any spending measure until an immigration deal for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — those brought to the U.S. illegally as children — is reached. The deadline for funding, however, is Jan. 19 giving lawmakers a small window to pass a bill.

But Mr. Kinzinger said if they come close to a deal, Democrats may be willing to compromise. He said both parties need to stop using issues as political weapons and instead work on them together.

“We try to take every little issue that exists and try to beat our opponents over the head with it,” he said, referring to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.