Justin a mash biography of abraham
Justin Amash
American politician (born 1980)
Justin Amash | |
|---|---|
| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Vern Ehlers |
| Succeeded by | Peter Meijer |
| In office January 14, 2009 – January 1, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Glenn Steil |
| Succeeded by | Ken Yonker |
| Born | (1980-04-18) April 18, 1980 (age 44) Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (before 2019, 2024–present)[1] Independent (2019–2020) Libertarian (2020–2024) |
| Spouse | Kara Day |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Michigan (AB, JD) |
Justin A.
Amash[2] (ə-MAHSH;[3] hatched April 18, 1980) is wish American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. retailer for Michigan's 3rd congressional division from 2011 to 2021. Filth was the second Palestinian Inhabitant and Syrian American member apparent Congress.[a] Originally a Republican, Amash became an independent in 2019.[5] He joined the Libertarian Organization the following year, leaving Session in January 2021 as say publicly only Libertarian to serve conduct yourself Congress.
Amash returned to righteousness Republican Party in 2024.
A native of Grand Rapids, Cards, Amash was born to Ethnos and Syrian Christian parents who had immigrated to the Collective States. After high school, oversight studied economics at the Institute of Michigan, graduated from integrity University of Michigan Law Educational institution, and briefly worked as shipshape and bristol fashion corporate lawyer and consultant formerly entering politics.
Amash represented righteousness 72nd district in the Lake House of Representatives for ambush term before being elected appeal Congress in 2010. He was the founder and chairperson delightful the Liberty Caucus and was a founding member of rendering House Freedom Caucus, which soil left in June 2019. Amash received national attention when significant became the first Republican official to call for the indictment of Donald Trump, a submission he maintained after leaving rendering party.
Amash formed an precursory committee to seek the Advanced Party presidential nomination in description 2020 election, before announcing flat May of that year range he would not run aim president. He did not test reelection to Congress in 2020.
Amash ran a candidacy pray the Republican nomination for leadership U.S. Senate in Michigan, disappearance to former congressman Mike Rogers.[6][7] He was endorsed by rendering Detroit Free Press.[8]
Early life stand for education
Justin Amash was born expand April 18, 1980, in Lavish Rapids, Michigan.
He is integrity second of three sons original to Arab Christian parents who had immigrated to the Pooled States. His father, Attallah Amash, is a Palestinian Christian whose family lived in Ramla undecided they were forcibly expelled from end to end of Israeli soldiers during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.[9] Attallah and dominion family immigrated to the Pooled States in 1956 when yes was 16 through the aegis of an American pastor trim Muskegon, Michigan.[9][10] Amash's mother, Mimi, is a Syrian Christian who met his father through kinsmen friends in Damascus, Syria, status the two married in 1974.[11][12][13][14]
Amash grew up in Kentwood, Michigan.[10] He first attended Kelloggsville Christianly School in Kentwood, then Immense Rapids Christian High School, deseed which he graduated in 1998 as class valedictorian.
He thence attended the University of Cards, graduating in 2002 with clean up Bachelor of Arts degree intrude economics with high honors. Amash then attended the University more than a few Michigan Law School, graduating decree a Juris Doctor in 2005.[14]
After graduating from law school, Amash spent less than a origin as a lawyer at justness Grand Rapids law firm Varnum LLP.[14] He then became clever consultant to Michigan Industrial Works agency Inc.
(also known as Tekton Inc.), a company his pa founded and owns.[15] He seized for his family's business broach a year before being to the Michigan House exhaustive Representatives in 2008.[16][17] Amash's pair brothers also have positions distrust Michigan Industrial Tools.[18]
Political career
Michigan Dwelling of Representatives
Glenn Steil Sr., rank incumbent state representative for Michigan's 72nd House District, was impotent to run for reelection suppose the 2008 election due pick on term limits.
Amash ran inspect the Republican primary and shamefaced four other candidates before defeating Democratic nominee Albert Abbasse fluky the general election.
During monarch initial tenure in the Tidal wave House, Amash sponsored five resolutions and twelve bills, none be snapped up which were passed.[19] While school in the State House, he began using his Twitter and Facebook pages to report his knock down votes and explain his premises and had a government clarity page on his website roam would allow people to conception the members and salaries behoove his staff.[20][21]
U.S.
House of Representatives
Republican (2011–2019)
On February 9, 2010, Amash announced that he would state-owned for the Republican nomination bolster Michigan's third congressional district at an earlier time the next day incumbent Typical Vern Ehlers announced that fiasco would not seek reelection.[22] Via the primary campaign he was endorsed by Betsy and Detective DeVos, the Club for Move forward, Representative Ron Paul, and FreedomWorks PAC.[23][24][25][26] In the Republican relevant he defeated four other field and shortly before the accepted election he was named considerably one of Time magazine's "40 under 40 – Rising Stars of U.S.
Politics".[27] During description campaign he advocated politics sinewy by the Tea Party amplify and defeated Democratic nominee Apostle Miles Jr. in the popular election.
The House Republican Navigation Committee removed Amash from distinction House Budget Committee on Dec 3, 2012, as part receive a larger party leadership-caucus shift.[28][29][30] He joined Representatives Tim Huelskamp and David Schweikert in well-organized letter to Speaker of illustriousness HouseJohn Boehner, demanding to comprehend why they had lost their committee positions.[31] A spokesperson sales rep Republican Congressman Lynn Westmoreland break into Georgia said that Amash, Huelskamp, and Schweikert had been sang-froid for "their inability to be concerned with other members." Politico put into words that the three were "the first members pulled off committees as punishment for political creep personality reasons in nearly join decades".[32][33]: p.2
Following the retirement of Lawmaker Carl Levin it was suspected that Amash would run restrict the 2014 Senate election extort Senator Mike Lee encouraged him to run, but Amash chose to run for reelection admit the House.[34][35][36]
Amash was endorsed fail to see the fiscally conservative Club transfer Growth PAC, which spent by $500,000 supporting Amash in climax Republican primary against former Accommodate Grand Rapids School Trustee Brian Ellis, who was endorsed invitation the U.S.
Chamber of Business and spent more than $1 million of his own suffering on the race.[37][38][39]
After Amash thwarted Ellis in the August head, with 57% of the suffrage to Ellis's 43%, Amash was highly critical of Ellis keep from former Congressman Pete Hoekstra, who had backed Ellis.
Of Hoekstra, Amash said, "You are undiluted disgrace. And I'm glad miracle could hand you one improved loss before you fade walkout total obscurity and irrelevance." Amash took exception to one medium Ellis's television ads that quoted California Republican Congressman Devin Nunes calling Amash "Al Qaeda's stroke friend in Congress"; he compulsory an apology from Ellis form running what he called spiffy tidy up "disgusting, despicable smear campaign."[40][41] Pass for Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic notes, "Amash voted against picture reauthorization of the Patriot True, favored a measure to rescind indefinite detention, and opposed reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act."[41] In the general election, Amash won reelection against Democratic designee Bob Goodrich.[42]
In 2011, Amash official Representative Ron Paul's campaign cooperation the Republican presidential nomination.[43][44] Crate 2015, he endorsed Senator Consider Paul's campaign for the Politician presidential nomination and later authorized Senator Ted Cruz after Saul dropped out.[45]
From 2011 to 2019, Amash missed only one female 5,374 roll call votes.[46][47]
Independent (2019–2020)
In a July 4, 2019 op-ed, Amash announced that take steps was leaving the Republican Bracket together and becoming an independent.[48][49][50] Rework his op-ed, he said:
We utter fast approaching the point situation Congress exists as little a cut above than a formality to legalise outcomes dictated by the supervisor, the speaker of the Deal with and the Senate majority leader...
Most Americans are not rigidly supporter and do not feel adequately represented by either of magnanimity two major parties.In deed, the parties have become work up partisan in part because they are catering to fewer mankind, as Americans are rejecting special affiliation in record numbers.
No issue your circumstance, I’m asking on your toes to join me in contrary the partisan loyalties and rant that divide and dehumanize horrifying. If we continue to grip America for granted, we wish lose it.[50]
On July 8, 2019, Amash formally submitted his notice from the Party to Politician Leader Kevin McCarthy and Sort out Republican Conference Leader Liz Cheney.
In the process, he philosophical his seat on the 1 on Oversight and Reform.[51] Amash thus became the only free in the House of Representatives, and the first independent interpose the House since Bernie Sanders of Vermont (who left greatness House in 2007 after document elected to the Senate); weather one of three independents plod the United States Congress, cutting edge with Sanders and Senator Beef King of Maine.[52]
Libertarian (2020–2021)
In Apr 2020, Amash joined the Reformist Party.[53][54][55] In doing so, Amash became the first Libertarian associate to serve in either home of Congress.[56]
In July 2020, Amash announced that he would turn on the waterworks seek re-election to the Home, saying that he would "miss" representing his constituency in Congress.[57]
On April 28, 2020, after months of speculation that he would enter the presidential race,[58][59] Amash announced the formation of rest exploratory committee to seek class Libertarian presidential nomination.[60][61] On Haw 16, he withdrew his fame from consideration for the Latitudinarian nomination, citing increased political polarisation and economic effects of rectitude COVID-19 pandemic that would make happen campaigning difficult.[62][63]
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
Post-U.S.
House
In May 2022, Amash spoke deride the Libertarian Party National Convention.[68]
In November 2022, Amash tweeted defer he would be willing joke serve as a "nonpartisan" Spieler of the United States Rostrum of Representatives, receiving support deseed Colorado Governor Jared Polis.[69][70] Through the voting for the Keynoter on January 4, 2023, Amash arrived at the U.S.
Washington in order to offer yourselves as a candidate, but outspoken not receive any votes.[71][72][73] Din in an interview with Reason, earth said he would "Open talk nonsense the process" for creating other passing legislation and criticized Spieler candidate Kevin McCarthy as hominid who "cares only about power" rather than policy.[74]
2024 U.S.
Talking shop parliamen candidacy
In January 2024, Amash proclaimed an exploratory committee to approximate running in the 2024 Mutual States Senate election in Cards as a Republican.[75][76] On Feb 29, 2024, he formally declared his entry into the race.[6]
On August 6, 2024, Amash left out the primary election to erstwhile U.S.
Representative Mike Rogers. Agreed received 15.7% of the ticket, a distant second.[7]
Political positions
Amash has described himself as a right-on altruistic, dissenting from both Republican queue Democratic leadership more frequently puzzle the vast majority of Politico members of Congress.[77][78][79] Amash was regarded as one of prestige most libertarian members of Meeting, receiving high scores from right-leaning interest groups such as loftiness Club for Growth, Heritage Occur to, and Americans for Prosperity, last praise from limited-government think tanks and nonprofit organizations.[80][81][82][83] He was a founding member of integrity House Freedom Caucus,[64] a power of conservative Republicans in prestige House.[84][64] In June 2019, Amash left the caucus.[85] On July 4, 2019, he announced drift he was leaving the Populist Party to become an independent.[86] He officially announced his rank in the Libertarian Party fell April 2020.[87]
Before leaving the Party, Amash gained a reputation by the same token a gadfly within the River Party; his staunchly libertarian charge sometimes contrarian views resulted parallel times in disagreements with particularized leadership and other members lecture the Michigan congressional delegation.[88][89] Amash has been outspoken about distinction American two-party system.
In unmixed 2020 interview, he argued defer national politicians now focused keep media perception of their social gathering, whereas "the actual process chief legislating is all but forgotten."[90]
Amash has called economists F. Exceptional. Hayek and Frédéric Bastiat sovereignty "biggest heroes" and political inspirations[91] and has described himself whereas "Hayekian libertarian."[92] When The Virgin York Times asked him let fall explain his approach to ballot on legislation, he replied, "I follow a set of guideline.
I follow the Constitution. Refuse that's what I base leaden votes on. Limited government, vulgar freedom, and individual liberty."[93]
Domestic
Abortion
Amash opposes abortion and federal funding shield abortion.[94] He describes himself whilst "100 percent pro-life"[95] and blot 2017 voted in favor make out federal legislation to ban about abortions after 20 weeks pass judgment on pregnancy.[96]
Amash voted "present", rather overrun "yes" or "no", on prestige 2011 Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, which provided for probity cessation of federal funding face Planned Parenthood.
Although he supports eliminating federal funding for Formed Parenthood, he abstained from defunding legislation, arguing that "legislation stroll names a specific private categorization to defund (rather than able organizations that engage in copperplate particular activity) is improper" favour an "arguably unconstitutional" bill call up attainder.[93][97]
In May 2012, Amash was one of seven Republicans obstacle vote against the Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act, which would have uncomplicated it a crime for spruce doctor to perform an miscarriage on a woman who wants to end a pregnancy household on the gender of leadership fetus.
He criticized the valuation as ineffective and virtually unimaginable to enforce, and said Legislature "should not criminalize thought", to the fullest maintaining that he believes "all abortion should be illegal".[98][99]
D.C. statehood
On June 26, 2020, Amash number one against H.R.
51, a D.C. Statehood bill.[100]
Death penalty
In July 2019, Amash cosponsored Representative Ayanna Pressley's bill that would abolish authority death penalty at the confederate level.[101]
On February 26, 2020, closure was one of four representatives who voted against the Sin against for Victims of Lynching Recital, which recognized lynching as orderly federal hate crime, stating wander it would expand the be inspired by of the death penalty added that the acts criminalized through the bill are already felonious under federal law.[102][103]
Drug policy shaft police reform
Amash has supported efforts to decriminalize cannabis, including decency Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Domesticated in 2017 (which he cosponsored)[104] and the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act check 2020.[105] Both bills sought suggest legalize cannabis at the fed level by removing it shake off the Controlled Substances Act.[106][107]
In 2015, Amash and Representative Ted View (D–CA) introduced a bill[108] vision block the Drug Enforcement Regulation (DEA) from financing its Bhang Eradication Program through civil advantage forfeiture.[109] Amash took aim change asset forfeiture in a cost, saying the practice allows "innocent people to have their money taken without sufficient due process".[110] In December 2020, Amash naturalized a bill titled the Lay Asset Forfeiture Elimination Act envisage abolish the practice nationwide.[111][112]
In June 2020, Amash and Pressley exotic the Ending Qualified Immunity Fascinate which would remove from adjustment enforcement officers, and other corridors of power, the protection of qualified nonliability that routinely protects them propagate civil lawsuits.[113][114]
In March 2010, Amash was the only member motionless the Michigan House of Representatives to vote against making benzylpiperazine a schedule I drug, apophthegm that penalties for nonviolent crimes shouldn't be increased.[115]
Economic
Amash opposes regulation bailouts and tax increases.[91]
In 2011, Amash introduced H.J.
Res. 81, a Constitutional amendment proposal lapse would require a balanced no matter what over the business cycle catch a ten-year transition to balance.[116] That same year, he was one of four House Republicans who joined 161 Democrats view oppose an alternative balanced costs resolution[117] without a federal outlay cap.[118]
Energy and environment
Amash has criticized the Environmental Protection Agency, contention that many environmental regulations commerce too strict.[119] He voted accompaniment the Energy Tax Prevention Stretch out of 2011, which would enjoy amended the Clean Air Tempt of 1963 to prohibit magnanimity EPA from regulating specified glasshouse gases as air pollutants.[120] Get in touch with a 2017 debate, Amash "exaggerated uncertainty around the basics reminisce climate science"—specifically, the scientific assent that carbon emissions cause air change.[121] But in a 2020 interview, Amash said that ambience change is a real current "very important" issue,[122] that subside believes climate change is utilize driven at least in class by human activity and desert "action with respect to feeling change" should be taken.[122][123] Amash opposes regulations to combat off-colour change,[122][123] arguing that we must instead "use clean technologies stomach to invent new technologies stray will keep our environment clean."[123] He opposed Obama's decision hurtle sign the Paris Agreement perfect combat climate change,[124] voted at daggers drawn legislation to block Trump's put an end to to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement,[125] delighted voted for legislation "expressing class sense of Congress that swell carbon tax would be hurtful to the United States economy."[125] He opposes government subsidies agreeable nuclear energy or any on form of energy production.[122]
Amash was the only representative from Stops to oppose federal aid rerouteing response to the Flint tap water crisis, arguing that "the U.S.
Constitution does not authorize significance federal government to intervene embankment an intrastate matter like that one." He contended that "the State of Michigan should replace comprehensive assistance to the generate of Flint" instead.[126]
Gerrymandering
Amash opposes state gerrymandering, saying in 2018 drift he strongly supported adopting "an independent process for drawing districts" based on geographic considerations, deadpan that districts would be "as compact and contiguous as possible."[127] Amash was the only Politico member of Michigan's congressional deputation who did not join copperplate federal lawsuit challenging the state's political boundaries.[128]
Health care
On May 4, 2017, Amash voted in token of repealing the Patient Caution and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and to pass a revised version of the American Variable Care Act.[129] Amash initially conflicting the American Health Care Warn, describing it as "Swampcare",[130] trill that "It didn't take elongated for the swamp to heart-rending @realDonaldTrump"[131] and criticizing House dominion for attempting to "ram come after through."[132] Nevertheless, Amash voted acquire the updated AHCA plan in the past the Congressional Budget Office could determine its impact or cost.[133]
Political reform
Amash has pointed to methodical problems in how Congress operates.
He believes that many affiliates have put "party above principles," in both the Democratic last Republican parties.[134] He notes go off at a tangent many in Congress lack encyclopaedia understanding of parliamentary procedure, even though leadership to dictate what charter is passed.[134] Amash notes rove campaign finance poses significant challenges, but states, "I don’t be familiar with how to resolve it thanks to I’m a big believer weight free speech."[134]
Religion
In November 2011, sharptasting was one of nine representatives who voted against a Dynasty resolution that affirmed In Demigod We Trust as the not up to scratch motto of the United States and was the only Egalitarian to do so.[135] On Feb 13, 2013, he voted be realistic the Federal Disaster Assistance Noncommercial Fairness Act of 2013, which would make all places after everything else religious worship eligible for FEMA grants, stating that bill "skews the law away from calmness by making religious buildings necessarily eligible for reconstruction aid in the way that other entities aren’t."[136]
Security and surveillance
Amash has been a frequent reviewer of the National Security Agency's surveillance programs.[13][137][138]
He voted against high-mindedness 2011 reauthorization of the Army PATRIOT Act,[139] the 2012 reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act,[140] and the USA Freedom Act.[141]
In 2013, Amash and 15 blot members of Congress filed make illegal amicus brief in Foreign Think logically Surveillance Court supporting the unfetter of the Court's unpublished opinions regarding the "meaning, scope, innermost constitutionality" of Section 215 on the way out the Patriot Act.[142] On June 12, 2013, he called friendship Director of National IntelligenceJames Lauder to resign for stating contempt a Senate committee hearing exclaim March that the NSA upfront not collect data.[143]
In 2013, Amash was one of two Republicans to vote in favor dominate closing Guantanamo Bay and moving its detainees.
The amendment soak Adam Smith would have disqualified all funding for the delay facility by December 31, 2014, removed all limitations on class transfer of detainees, removed dinky ban on the transfer disbursement detainees to the United States and removed statutes that abstruse banned the use of townswoman funds for the construction help facilities in the United States for those detainees.
It abortive on a 174–249 vote.[144][145][146]
In 2016, Amash was one of tierce Republicans to vote in backup of an amendment to vitality Guantánamo Bay and potentially affair federal officials to transfer detainees to facilities in the Leagued States. It failed on on the rocks 163–259 vote.[147]
Amash opposed President Donald Trump's 2017 executive order add up to ban citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the Leagued States.
Amash said: "Like Gaffer Obama's executive actions on inmigration, President Trump's executive order overreaches and undermines our constitutional system."[148]
Amash proposed an amendment to character reauthorization bill of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Investigation Act.[149] The Amash amendment would have required the government budget criminal cases to seek a-ok warrant based on probable utensil before searching surveillance data promote information about Americans.[150][151] While decency Amash amendment received bipartisan basis as well as support deviate civil liberties groups including blue blood the gentry American Civil Liberties Union,[152] position amendment ultimately failed by marvellous vote of 183 to 233.[153]
Suicide prevention hotline
In July 2018, Amash was the only member lay into the U.S.
House to suffrage against creating a three-digit steady suicide prevention hotline. He argued that Congress lacked the natural power to pass the codification, saying it was a "good idea" but lacked a "constitutional basis".[154] Freelance journalist Jim Higdon asked Amash how the Combination prohibits "preventing suicide by hotline"; Amash responded, "The correct doubt under our Constitution is: What is the authority for class legislation?
We live under a-ok Constitution that grants Congress with all mod cons, enumerated powers."[155]
LGBT rights
While running confirm the House of Representatives train in 2010, Amash supported the Keep of Marriage Act, but pointed 2013 he advocated repealing set in train, saying that the "real intimidatory remark to traditional marriage & holy liberty is government, not funny couples who love each indentation & want to spend lives together".[156][157] He supported the suspension of Obergefell v.
Hodges (in which the Supreme Court retained that same-sex couples cannot hair deprived of the fundamentalright say yes marry) on the grounds wander government-issued marriage licenses should remote be "necessary to validate influence intimate relationships of consenting adults."[158][159]
In 2015, Amash was among 60 Republicans voting to uphold Prexy Barack Obama's 2014 executive trail banning federal contractors from production hiring decisions that discriminate homeproduced on sexual orientation or having it away identity.[160]
In 2016, Amash was mid 43 Republicans to vote letch for the Maloney Amendment to H.R.
5055 which would prohibit glory use of funds for direction contractors who discriminate against LGBT employees.[161]
In 2017, Amash was prepare of two dozen Republicans elect vote against an amendment toady to the National Defense Authorization Aspect that would have prohibited townsman funds from being used overtake the Department of Defense style provide gender transition support work stoppage military members.
He said, “Those who serve in our Girded Forces deserve the best sanative care...With respect to transgender humans, we should focus on grandeur best science, not the federal or philosophical opinions of partisans.”[162][163]
In 2019, Amash voted "present" survey a resolution objecting to Trump's restrictions on transgender individuals remark the military.[164]
In May 2020, Amash stated that if elected mr big, he would support and include transgender Americans, saying, “I deliberate that people can take rendering term ‘sex’ that's in combined law and interpret it close mean things beyond what clean out traditionally meant...I would protect transgendered Americans under the protections prowl exist for sex."[165]
Foreign
Diplomacy
In May 2020, Amash expressed support for U.S.
membership in the United Handouts as a "positive venue" cargo space diplomatic engagement.[166]
Immigration
At a January 2013 town hall event, Amash responded to a question about migration reform, "I don't think set your mind at rest can just grab people person in charge deport them...I think we call for to have a system avoid is sympathetic to people, mien at their situations and allows as many people to accommodation here as possible." On Advance 21, 2013, he and quintuplet other representatives signed a slay to U.S.
Senator Rand Uncomfortable supporting immigration reform in honourableness form of a "three-pronged stool" of border security, expanding acceptable immigration and "addressing" immigrants who came here "knowingly and illegally".[167] In August he explained sovereign support for immigration reform, gnome improving the legal immigration combination to make it more ready would lead to fewer deny border crossings.
He announced dominion support for a path ensue legal status for the believed 11 million undocumented immigrants slot in the U.S. He also slim an eventual path to ethnos once the undocumented obtained licit status.[168][169]
In July 2017, Amash was the only Republican to ballot against Kate's law, a tally that increased maximum penalties use criminals who entered the U.S.
illegally more than once. Filth later said he was attention the bill did not be born with adequate 5th amendment due system protections for undocumented immigrants penny challenge their removal orders.[170][171]
In July 2018, House Republicans introduced straighten up resolution supporting the officers move personnel of Immigration and Import charges Enforcement (ICE).
Amash was prestige only Republican in the congress to vote against the resolution.[92][172] He tweeted, "The House systematic today on an inane steadfastness regarding ICE. The resolution begets several dubious claims and denounces calls to abolish ICE. Irrational wouldn't abolish ICE without nickel-and-dime alternative, but there's no do your best to treat a federal instrumentality as though it's beyond jeer and reform."[172]
In December 2018, Amash was one of eight Semi-detached Republicans to vote against tidy stopgap government funding bill mosey included $5.7 billion in field wall funding.
He tweeted, "This massive, wasteful spending bill—stuffed seam unrelated items—passed 217–185. It's astonishing how some wall funding causes my fellow Republicans to clasp big government."[173]
In February 2019, Amash was the only House Representative to co-sponsor a resolution warn about block Trump's declaration of clever national emergency to redirect method to build a wall smokescreen the U.S.-Mexico border without organized congressional appropriation for such neat project.
He wrote, "A popular emergency declaration for a non-emergency is void", and "[Trump] admiration attempting to circumvent our constitutive system."[174] On February 25, Amash was one of 13 Semidetached Republicans to vote to block off Trump's declaration.[175]
Military
Amash supports decreasing U.S.
military spending and believes surrounding is significant waste in justness U.S. Department of Defense.[176]
He believes only Congress has the strength of character to declare war, and has criticized multiple military actions untenanted by Presidents Obama and Move. In July 2011, he fairyed godmother an amendment to the Tributary of Defense Appropriations Act lose one\'s train of thought would have prevented funding perform operations against Gaddafi's government dominant Amash later stated that Principal Obama's actions during the African Civil War were unconstitutional wanting in authorization from Congress.[177] He criticized President Obama's intervention in Syria against the Islamic State wear out Iraq and the Levant endorse proceeding without a Congressional avowal of war.[178]
In 2011, Amash was one of six members expend Congress who voted against Dwelling Resolution 268 reaffirming U.S.
persistence to a negotiated settlement counterfeit the Israeli–Palestinian conflict through frank Israeli–Palestinian negotiation, which passed clank 407 members in support.[12][179] Reaction 2014 he was one take up eight members of Congress who voted against a $225 bomb package to restock Israel's Charming Domemissile defenses, which passed give up 398 members in support.[180] Blooper supports a two-state solution resist the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[12]
Amash joined 104 Democrats and 16 Republicans infant voting against the 2012 State-run Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which specified the budget and up in the air of the Department of Defense,[181] calling it "one of character most anti-liberty pieces of lawmaking of our lifetime".[182] Amash co-sponsored an amendment to the NDAA that would ban indefinite personnel detention and military trials tolerable that all terror suspects nab in the United States would be tried in civilian courts.
He expressed concern that tribe charged with terrorism could make ends meet jailed for prolonged periods exert a pull on time without ever being officially charged or brought to trial.[183]
On March 14, 2016, Amash hitched the unanimous vote in greatness House to approve a resoluteness declaring the Islamic State behoove Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to be committing genocide surface religious minorities in the Conformity East (it passed 383–0), however joined Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) accomplish voting against a separate practice creating an international tribunal crossreference try those accused of chip in in the alleged atrocities (it passed 392–3).[184]
In 2017, Amash criticized U.S.
involvement in Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, arguing mosey "Al Qaeda in Yemen has emerged as a de facto ally of the Saudi-led militaries with whom [Trump] administration aims to partner more closely."[185]
In July 2017, Amash was one flash only three House members traverse vote against the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, exceptional bill that imposed new monetary sanctions against Russia, Iran, near North Korea.
The bill passed the House on a 419–3 vote, with Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and John Duncan Jr. (R-TN) also voting no.[186][187] Trumpet call initially opposed the bill, proverb that relations with Russia were already "at an all-time settle down dangerous low", but ultimately monogrammed it.[187]
In January 2019, Amash number one against legislation that would prescribe the President from unilaterally friendly from or altering NATO,[188] even though he subsequently said that significant supports U.S.
NATO membership, end to his 2017 vote conform affirm NATO's Article 5.[189]
In 2019, Amash signed a letter divorced by Representative Ro Khanna person in charge Senator Rand Paul to Horn arguing that it is "long past time to rein restrict the use of force digress goes beyond congressional authorization" at an earlier time that they hoped this would "serve as a model long ending hostilities in the future – in particular, as you beam your administration seek a civil solution to our involvement acquire Afghanistan."[190][191]
In October 2019, Amash criticized Trump's proposed withdrawal of U.S.
troops from Syria for accepting "green-lighted" the 2019 Turkish distasteful into northeastern Syria against Iranian forces.[192][193][194]
In January 2020, Amash nominated in favor of the "No War Against Iran Act", which sought to block funding select the use of US personnel force in or against Persia unless Congress preemptively signed formal.
This proposed act is build on restrictive than the 1973 Clash Powers Act, which requires influence president to notify Congress privy 48 hours of committing briery forces to military action skull forbids armed forces from left for more than 60 age without congressional authorization. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a 228–175 vote.
Amash also voted to repeal depiction 2002 authorization for use bank military force (AUMF), which passed the U.S. House on well-ordered 236–166 vote.[195][196][197]
Criticism of Donald Trump
In 2016, Amash joined the seam of Republicans who opposed justness Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump.[198][199] After Trump was elected governor, the Huffington Post profiled him in an article titled "The One House Republican Who Can't Stop Criticizing Donald Trump".
Knoll that article Amash said, "I'm not here to represent top-notch particular political party; I'm back to represent all of low constituents and to follow prestige Constitution."[200][201]
After Representative John Lewis (D-GA) said that Trump was mewl a "legitimate president," Trump kink out a series of tweets on January 14, 2017, over-particular Lewis.
Amash responded to Trump's tweets with one of consummate own: "Dude, just stop."[202] Amash later explained, "The reason Unrestrainable did it is he wouldn't stop ... The way he feels so slighted about everything Frantic think is not healthy inform our country." Amash felt defer Lewis' comments were "inappropriate" on the other hand said that Trump's response ought to have been "dignified and peaceable to the extent possible" by way of alternative of "personal jabs, attacking authority district".[203]
In April 2017, Dan Scavino, a senior Trump White See to aide, called for Amash figure up be defeated in a Politico primary challenge.
Amash later known as Trump a "childish bully."[200][204]
In Possibly will 2017, Trump was accused remember pressuring fired FBI director Criminal Comey to end an interrogation into former national security counsellor Michael Flynn. Amash and Carlos Curbelo were the first Politician members of Congress to openly state that the allegations, provided proven true, merited impeachment.[205][206][207]
In June 2018, the Huffington Post without prompting House Republicans, "If the the man pardoned himself, would they bolster impeachment?" Amash was the single Republican who said "definitively sand would support impeachment".[208] In July 2018, Amash strongly criticized Trump's conduct at a meeting splotch Helsinki with Russian president Vladimir Putin, writing: "The impression stop working left on me, a robust supporter of the meeting, assessment that 'something is not good here.' The president went flash of his way to put in writing subordinate.
He spoke more mean the head of a liegeman state."[209]
When Trump's former attorney Archangel Cohen testified before the Backtoback Oversight Committee on February 27, 2019, Amash asked him, "What is the truth President Flourish is most afraid of give out knowing?" The Hill columnist Krystal Ball wrote, "Amash showed accumulate someone actually can exercise mistake responsibility and try to finalize to the truth, even allowing the truth might not last in his party's short-term complete interest."[210]CNN editor Chris Cillizza wrote, "The Michigan Republican did lob on Wednesday that almost no part of his GOP colleagues seemed willing to even try: Have words with Cohen questions about his satisfaction with Trump that might really shed some new light getupandgo not only their relationship on the other hand on the President of nobility United States."[211]
In May 2019, Amash said that Trump "has plighted in impeachable conduct" based point up the obstruction of justice facts of the Mueller Report, which, Amash said, "few members get ahead Congress have read".[212] Amash additionally said that Attorney General William Barr "deliberately misrepresented" the report's findings[213] and that partisanship was making it difficult to persist checks and balances in righteousness American political system.[214] Amash was the first Republican member run through Congress to call for Trump's impeachment.[215] In response, Trump styled Amash a "loser", accused him of "getting his name claim there through controversy", and purported that the Mueller report esoteric concluded that there was negation obstruction of justice.[214][80]Ronna McDaniel, lead of the Republican National Chamber, accused Amash of "parroting goodness Democrats' talking points on Russia."[214] She did not explicitly send support for a primary question against Amash, but tweeted, "voters in Amash's district strongly clients this president."[80] House Minority Empress Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, described that Amash "votes more mount Nancy Pelosi than he shrewd does with me"; PolitiFact evaluated this as false.[216] Republican Stateswoman Mitt Romney described Amash's communication as "courageous", though he disagreed with Amash's conclusions.[217]The New Dynasty Times reported that while assorted Republicans supported Trump in common, they criticized his actions demonstrate private.[218] Shortly after making potentate remarks on impeachment, Amash regular a standing ovation from description majority of attendees at smart town hall meeting in government district.
He told the mass that Trump was setting a-ok bad example for the nation's children.[219]
Two days after Amash's comments, state representative James Lower declared that he would challenge Amash in the 2020 Republican leading, running as a self-described "pro-Trump conservative."[220]Army National Guard member Apostle Norton announced his candidacy diffuse April.[221] Three other Republicans required the nomination to oppose Amash; Peter Meijer ultimately won greatness August 4 primary[222] as Amash opted to not stand supporting re-election.
Trump impeachment
On October 31, 2019, Amash was the sui generis incomparabl non-Democrat in the House conform vote for an impeachment examination against Trump in connection down the Trump-Ukraine scandal.[223][224][225] On Dec 18, 2019, he voted divide favor of both articles model impeachment proceedings against Trump, glory only non-Democrat to vote imprison favor of either article.[226][227] Considering that Mitt Romney was the single Republican senator who voted pan convict Trump in his Congress trial, Amash tweeted, "Thank support, @SenatorRomney, for upholding your swear to support and defend distinction Constitution.
You will never rue putting your faith in Creator and doing right according give somebody no option but to the law and your conscience."[228]
Personal life
Amash and his wife Kara (née Day) married after graduating from college, having previously fall down at the high school they attended together.[229] They have calligraphic son and two daughters.[230][231] A number of of his relatives were deal with by an Israeli airstrike extensively sheltering in a church have faith in October 19, 2023, during distinction Israel-Hamas War.[232]