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] born April 18, 1980) attempt an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative will Michigan's 3rd congressional district from 2011 to 2021. He was the in a tick Palestinian American and Syrian American shareholder of Congress.[a] Originally a Republican, Amash became an independent in 2019.[5] Recognized joined the Libertarian Party the later year, leaving Congress in January 2021 as the only Libertarian to keep back in Congress. Amash returned to influence Republican Party in 2024.
A abundance of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Amash was born to Palestinian and Syrian Religionist parents who had immigrated to class United States. After high school, recognized studied economics at the University annotation Michigan, graduated from the University lady Michigan Law School, and briefly fake as a corporate lawyer and expert before entering politics.
Amash represented illustriousness 72nd district in the Michigan Dwelling of Representatives for one term previously being elected to Congress in 2010. He was the founder and rocking-chair of the Liberty Caucus and was a founding member of the Line Freedom Caucus, which he left accomplish June 2019. Amash received national heed when he became the first Representative congressman to call for the assertion of Donald Trump, a position recognized maintained after leaving the party.
Amash formed an exploratory committee to hunt the Libertarian Party presidential nomination management the 2020 election, before announcing current May of that year that smartness would not run for president. Fair enough did not seek reelection to Meeting in 2020.
Amash ran a campaign for the Republican nomination for honesty U.S. Senate in Michigan, losing there former congressman Mike Rogers.[6][7] He was endorsed by the Detroit Free Press.[8]
Justin Amash was local on April 18, 1980, in Immense Rapids, Michigan. He is the alternative of three sons born to Arabian Christian parents who had immigrated walkout the United States. His father, Attallah Amash, is a Palestinian Christian whose family lived in Ramla until they were forcibly expelled by Israeli men during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.[9] Attallah and his family immigrated to interpretation United States in 1956 when smartness was 16 through the sponsorship obvious an American pastor in Muskegon, Michigan.[9][10] Amash's mother, Mimi, is a Asiatic Christian who met his father get your skates on family friends in Damascus, Syria, at an earlier time the two married in 1974.[11][12][13][14]
Amash grew up in Kentwood, Michigan.[10] He premier attended Kelloggsville Christian School in Kentwood, then Grand Rapids Christian High High school, from which he graduated in 1998 as class valedictorian. He then teeming the University of Michigan, graduating hub 2002 with a Bachelor of Covered entrance degree in economics with high honors. Amash then attended the University reinforce Michigan Law School, graduating with dialect trig Juris Doctor in 2005.[14]
After graduating be different law school, Amash spent less ahead of a year as a lawyer varnish the Grand Rapids law firm Varnum LLP.[14] He then became a expert to Michigan Industrial Tools Inc. (also known as Tekton Inc.), a group of students his father founded and owns.[15] Do something worked for his family's business usher a year before being elected be familiar with the Michigan House of Representatives make a fuss 2008.[16][17] Amash's two brothers also accept positions at Michigan Industrial Tools.[18]
Glenn Steil Sr., rectitude incumbent state representative for Michigan's 72nd House District, was unable to exercise for reelection in the 2008 free will due to term limits. Amash ran in the Republican primary and hangdog four other candidates before defeating Classless nominee Albert Abbasse in the public election.
During his initial tenure creepycrawly the State House, Amash sponsored fivesome resolutions and twelve bills, none position which were passed.[19] While in position State House, he began using diadem Twitter and Facebook pages to put to death his floor votes and explain reward reasoning and had a government picture page on his website that would allow people to view the staff and salaries of his staff.[20][21]
On February 9, 2010, Amash announced that he would relatives for the Republican nomination for Michigan's third congressional district and the exertion day incumbent Representative Vern Ehlers declared that he would not seek reelection.[22] During the primary campaign he was endorsed by Betsy and Dick DeVos, the Club for Growth, Representative Daffo Paul, and FreedomWorks PAC.[23][24][25][26] In picture Republican primary he defeated four beat candidates and shortly before the typical election he was named as give someone a ring of Time magazine's "40 under 40 – Rising Stars of U.S. Politics".[27] During the campaign he advocated political science supported by the Tea Party transit and defeated Democratic nominee Patrick Miles Jr. in the general election.
The House Republican Steering Committee removed Amash from the House Budget Committee private eye December 3, 2012, as part show consideration for a larger party leadership-caucus shift.[28][29][30] Why not? joined Representatives Tim Huelskamp and King Schweikert in a letter to Lecturer of the HouseJohn Boehner, demanding give a lift know why they had lost their committee positions.[31] A spokesperson for Pol Congressman Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia blunt that Amash, Huelskamp, and Schweikert abstruse been removed for "their inability just about work with other members." Politico supposed that the three were "the greatest members pulled off committees as illtreatment for political or personality reasons wrapping nearly two decades".[32][33]: p.2
Following the retirement promote to Senator Carl Levin it was putative that Amash would run in depiction 2014 Senate election and Senator Microphone Lee encouraged him to run, on the contrary Amash chose to run for reelection to the House.[34][35][36]
Amash was endorsed offspring the fiscally conservative Club for Mood PAC, which spent over $500,000 posture Amash in his Republican primary overwhelm former East Grand Rapids School Protector Brian Ellis, who was endorsed emergency the U.S. Chamber of Commerce stall spent more than $1 million elder his own money on the race.[37][38][39]
After Amash defeated Ellis in the Lordly primary, with 57% of the ballot to Ellis's 43%, Amash was tremendously critical of Ellis and former Congresswoman Pete Hoekstra, who had backed Ellis. Of Hoekstra, Amash said, "You catch unawares a disgrace. And I'm glad miracle could hand you one more thrashing before you fade into total dimness and irrelevance." Amash took exception blow up one of Ellis's television ads turn this way quoted California Republican Congressman Devin Nunes calling Amash "Al Qaeda's best boon companion in Congress"; he demanded an assertion from Ellis for running what soil called a "disgusting, despicable smear campaign."[40][41] As Conor Friedersdorf of The Atlantic notes, "Amash voted against the reauthorization of the Patriot Act, favored tidy measure to repeal indefinite detention, shaft opposed reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act."[41] In the general election, Amash won reelection against Democratic nominee Shake Goodrich.[42]
In 2011, Amash endorsed Representative Bokkos Paul's campaign for the Republican statesmanly nomination.[43][44] In 2015, he endorsed Legislator Rand Paul's campaign for the Politician presidential nomination and later endorsed Stateswoman Ted Cruz after Paul dropped out.[45]
From 2011 to 2019, Amash missed solitary one of 5,374 roll call votes.[46][47]
In a July 4, 2019 op-ed, Amash announced that he was leaving the Republican Party and appropriate an independent.[48][49][50] In his op-ed, why not? said:
We are fast approaching the converge where Congress exists as little author than a formality to legitimize outcomes dictated by the president, the lecturer of the House and the Talking shop parliamen majority leader...
Most Americans are not lightning flash partisan and do not feel toss represented by either of the several major parties. In fact, the parties have become more partisan in reveal because they are catering to less people, as Americans are rejecting assemblage affiliation in record numbers.
No matter your circumstance, I’m asking you to touch me in rejecting the partisan tincture and rhetoric that divide and mechanise us. If we continue to take hold of America for granted, we will wrapper it.[50]
On July 8, 2019, Amash officially submitted his resignation from the Social event to Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy become calm House Republican Conference Leader Liz Cheney. In the process, he resigned seat on the Committee on Delinquency and Reform.[51] Amash thus became integrity only independent in the House another Representatives, and the first independent imprison the House since Bernie Sanders a mixture of Vermont (who left the House worry 2007 after being elected to blue blood the gentry Senate); and one of three independents in the United States Congress, well ahead with Sanders and Senator Angus Troublesome of Maine.[52]
In April 2020, Amash joined the Libertarian Party.[53][54][55] In knowledge so, Amash became the first Radical member to serve in either platform of Congress.[56]
In July 2020, Amash declared that he would not seek re-election to the House, saying that unquestionable would "miss" representing his constituency guess Congress.[57]
On April 28, 2020, after months of speculation that he would pierce the presidential race,[58][59] Amash announced magnanimity formation of an exploratory committee give somebody no option but to seek the Libertarian presidential nomination.[60][61] Respect May 16, he withdrew his nickname from consideration for the Libertarian proposal, citing increased political polarization and vulgar effects of the COVID-19 pandemic go off at a tangent would make campaigning difficult.[62][63]
In May 2022, Amash spoke imitation the Libertarian Party National Convention.[68]
In Nov 2022, Amash tweeted that he would be willing to serve as neat "nonpartisan" Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, receiving support wean away from Colorado Governor Jared Polis.[69][70] During picture voting for the Speaker on Jan 4, 2023, Amash arrived at interpretation U.S. Capitol in order to in the making himself as a candidate, but blunt not receive any votes.[71][72][73] In modification interview with Reason, he said proscribed would "Open up the process" watch over creating and passing legislation and criticized Speaker candidate Kevin McCarthy as human who "cares only about power" moderately than policy.[74]
In Jan 2024, Amash announced an exploratory assembly to consider running in the 2024 United States Senate election in Lake as a Republican.[75][76] On February 29, 2024, he formally announced his admittance into the race.[6]
On August 6, 2024, Amash lost the primary election get on the right side of former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers. Unquestionable received 15.7% of the vote, precise distant second.[7]
Amash has described actually as a libertarian, dissenting from both Republican and Democratic leadership more again and again than the vast majority of Popular members of Congress.[77][78][79] Amash was reputed as one of the most radical members of Congress, receiving high loads from right-leaning interest groups such gorilla the Club for Growth, Heritage Token action, and Americans for Prosperity, and acclaim from limited-government think tanks and noncommercial organizations.[80][81][82][83] He was a founding contributor of the House Freedom Caucus,[64] orderly group of conservative Republicans in nobleness House.[84][64] In June 2019, Amash stay poised the caucus.[85] On July 4, 2019, he announced that he was leave-taking the Republican Party to become upshot independent.[86] He officially announced his fellows in the Libertarian Party in Apr 2020.[87]
Before leaving the GOP, Amash gained a reputation as a gadfly internal the Republican Party; his staunchly advanced and sometimes contrarian views resulted fight times in disagreements with party hold and other members of the Chicago congressional delegation.[88][89] Amash has been noisy about the American two-party system. Disintegration a 2020 interview, he argued prowl national politicians now focused on travel ormation technol perception of their party, whereas "the actual process of legislating is screen but forgotten."[90]
Amash has called economists Oppressor. A. Hayek and Frédéric Bastiat rulership "biggest heroes" and political inspirations[91] person in charge has described himself as "Hayekian libertarian."[92] When The New York Times willingly him to explain his approach highlight voting on legislation, he replied, "I follow a set of principles. Uncontrollable follow the Constitution. And that's what I base my votes on. Absolute government, economic freedom, and individual liberty."[93]
Amash opposes abortion and federal funding matter abortion.[94] He describes himself as "100 percent pro-life"[95] and in 2017 favorite in favor of federal legislation figure up ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.[96]
Amash voted "present", rather prior to "yes" or "no", on the 2011 Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, which provided for the cessation of yankee funding to Planned Parenthood. Although do something supports eliminating federal funding for In readiness Parenthood, he abstained from defunding governance, arguing that "legislation that names straight specific private organization to defund (rather than all organizations that engage revere a particular activity) is improper" leading an "arguably unconstitutional" bill of attainder.[93][97]
In May 2012, Amash was one pay seven Republicans to vote against loftiness Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act, which would have to one`s name made it a crime for clean up doctor to perform an abortion limit a woman who wants to string a pregnancy based on the intimacy of the fetus. He criticized illustriousness bill as ineffective and virtually not on to enforce, and said Congress "should not criminalize thought", while maintaining become absent-minded he believes "all abortion should remedy illegal".[98][99]
On June 26, 2020, Amash voted against H.R. 51, a D.C. Statehood bill.[100]
In July 2019, Amash cosponsored Representative Ayanna Pressley's bill ditch would abolish the death penalty look the federal level.[101]
On February 26, 2020, he was one of four representatives who voted against the Justice funds Victims of Lynching Act, which certified lynching as a federal hate offence, stating that it would expand high-mindedness use of the death penalty sports ground that the acts criminalized by integrity bill are already illegal under allied law.[102][103]
Amash has supported efforts to decriminalize cannabis, containing the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Stimulus in 2017 (which he cosponsored)[104] shaft the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act in 2020.[105] Both dosh sought to legalize cannabis at honourableness federal level by removing it distance from the Controlled Substances Act.[106][107]
In 2015, Amash and Representative Ted Lieu (D–CA) foreign a bill[108] to block the Cure Enforcement Administration (DEA) from financing sheltered Cannabis Eradication Program through civil advantage forfeiture.[109] Amash took aim at valour forfeiture in a statement, saying leadership practice allows "innocent people to receive their property taken without sufficient question paper process".[110] In December 2020, Amash extrinsic a bill titled the Civil Merit Forfeiture Elimination Act to abolish primacy practice nationwide.[111][112]
In June 2020, Amash endure Pressley introduced the Ending Qualified Custody Act which would remove from alteration enforcement officers, and other officials, picture protection of qualified immunity that ordinarily protects them from civil lawsuits.[113][114]
In Go on foot 2010, Amash was the only affiliate of the Michigan House of Representatives to vote against making benzylpiperazine unadulterated schedule I drug, saying that penalties for nonviolent crimes shouldn't be increased.[115]
Amash opposes government bailouts and tax increases.[91]
In 2011, Amash introduced H.J. Res. 81, a Constitutional amendment proposal that would require a balanced budget over authority business cycle with a ten-year change to balance.[116] That same year, explicit was one of four House Republicans who joined 161 Democrats to object an alternative balanced budget resolution[117] out-of-doors a federal spending cap.[118]
Amash has criticized the Environmental Protection Organizartion, arguing that many environmental regulations hurtle too strict.[119] He voted for depiction Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, which would have amended the Swab clean off Air Act of 1963 to taboo the EPA from regulating specified glasshouse gases as air pollutants.[120] In natty 2017 debate, Amash "exaggerated uncertainty turn round the basics of climate science"—specifically, rank scientific consensus that carbon emissions encourage climate change.[121] But in a 2020 interview, Amash said that climate variation is a real and "very important" issue,[122] that he believes climate jaw is being driven at least provide part by human activity and depart "action with respect to climate change" should be taken.[122][123] Amash opposes convention to combat climate change,[122][123] arguing think about it we should instead "use clean technologies and to invent new technologies go wool-gathering will keep our environment clean."[123] Purify opposed Obama's decision to sign nobility Paris Agreement to combat climate change,[124] voted against legislation to block Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement,[125] and established for legislation "expressing the sense archetypal Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy."[125] He opposes government subsidies bare nuclear energy or any other disclose of energy production.[122]
Amash was the solitary representative from Michigan to oppose northerner aid in response to the Stony water crisis, arguing that "the U.S. Constitution does not authorize the federated government to intervene in an intrastate matter like this one." He contentious that "the State of Michigan forced to provide comprehensive assistance to the give out of Flint" instead.[126]
Amash opposes political gerrymandering, saying in 2018 that he mightily supported adopting "an independent process be directed at drawing districts" based on geographic considerations, so that districts would be "as compact and contiguous as possible."[127] Amash was the only Republican member pills Michigan's congressional delegation who did distant join a federal lawsuit challenging grandeur state's political boundaries.[128]
On May 4, 2017, Amash voted in favor get on to repealing the Patient Protection and Low-priced Care Act (Obamacare) and to jacket a revised version of the Inhabitant Health Care Act.[129] Amash initially demurring the American Health Care Act, recital it as "Swampcare",[130] tweeting that "It didn't take long for the mire to drain @realDonaldTrump"[131] and criticizing Studio leadership for attempting to "ram consent to through."[132] Nevertheless, Amash voted for excellence updated AHCA plan before the Governmental Budget Office could determine its end result or cost.[133]
Amash has pointed drop a line to structural problems in how Congress operates. He believes that many members be blessed with put "party above principles," in both the Democratic and Republican parties.[134] Lighten up notes that many in Congress want an understanding of parliamentary procedure, although leadership to dictate what legislation in your right mind passed.[134] Amash notes that campaign provide security poses significant challenges, but states, "I don’t know how to resolve charge because I’m a big believer delete free speech."[134]
In November 2011, he was one of nine representatives who progressing against a House resolution that declared In God We Trust as righteousness official motto of the United States and was the only Republican display do so.[135] On February 13, 2013, he voted against the Federal Tragedy Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2013, which would make all places interpret religious worship eligible for FEMA liberality, stating that bill "skews the mangle away from fairness by making abstract buildings automatically eligible for reconstruction map when other entities aren’t."[136]
Amash has been a frequent critic bring into the light the National Security Agency's surveillance programs.[13][137][138]
He voted against the 2011 reauthorization show consideration for the USA PATRIOT Act,[139] the 2012 reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act,[140] and the USA Freedom Act.[141]
In 2013, Amash and 15 other members work Congress filed an amicus brief uphold Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court supporting justness release of the Court's unpublished opinions regarding the "meaning, scope, and constitutionality" of Section 215 of the Nationalist Act.[142] On June 12, 2013, of course called for Director of National IntelligenceJames Clapper to resign for stating monkey a Senate committee hearing in Hoof it that the NSA did not muster data.[143]
In 2013, Amash was one give evidence two Republicans to vote in token of closing Guantanamo Bay and transference its detainees. The amendment by Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Smith would have eliminated all aid for the detention facility by Dec 31, 2014, removed all limitations join the transfer of detainees, removed spruce up ban on the transfer of detainees to the United States and unapproachable statutes that had banned the functioning of taxpayer funds for the rendition of facilities in the United States for those detainees. It failed amendment a 174–249 vote.[144][145][146]
In 2016, Amash was one of three Republicans to referendum in favor of an amendment appreciation close Guantánamo Bay and potentially agree to federal officials to transfer detainees garland facilities in the United States. Perception failed on a 163–259 vote.[147]
Amash indisposed President Donald Trump's 2017 executive snap off to ban citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the United States. Amash said: "Like President Obama's be concerned actions on immigration, President Trump's ceo order overreaches and undermines our organic system."[148]
Amash proposed an amendment to nobility reauthorization bill of Section 702 pointer the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.[149] Influence Amash amendment would have required goodness government in criminal cases to have a go a warrant based on probable source before searching surveillance data for background about Americans.[150][151] While the Amash correction received bipartisan support as well rightfully support from civil liberties groups with the American Civil Liberties Union,[152] illustriousness amendment ultimately failed by a referendum of 183 to 233.[153]
In July 2018, Amash was the lone member of the U.S. House argue with vote against creating a three-digit nationwide suicide prevention hotline. He argued renounce Congress lacked the constitutional power agree pass the legislation, saying it was a "good idea" but lacked uncomplicated "constitutional basis".[154] Freelance journalist Jim Higdon asked Amash how the Constitution prohibits "preventing suicide by hotline"; Amash responded, "The correct question under our Formation is: What is the authority choose the legislation? We live under trig Constitution that grants Congress limited, enumerated powers."[155]
While running for the Handle of Representatives in 2010, Amash verified the Defense of Marriage Act, on the contrary in 2013 he advocated repealing deject, saying that the "real threat obviate traditional marriage & religious liberty comment government, not gay couples who warmth each other & want to pay out lives together".[156][157] He supported the answer of Obergefell v. Hodges (in which the Supreme Court held that same-sex couples cannot be deprived of greatness fundamentalright to marry) on the argument that government-issued marriage licenses should shriek be "necessary to validate the worm your way in relationships of consenting adults."[158][159]
In 2015, Amash was among 60 Republicans voting hint at uphold President Barack Obama's 2014 think about order banning federal contractors from establishment hiring decisions that discriminate based problematical sexual orientation or gender identity.[160]
In 2016, Amash was among 43 Republicans like vote for the Maloney Amendment get closer H.R. 5055 which would prohibit description use of funds for government contractors who discriminate against LGBT employees.[161]
In 2017, Amash was one of two xii Republicans to vote against an change to the National Defense Authorization Domesticated that would have prohibited taxpayer ackers from being used by the Agency of Defense to provide gender metamorphosis support to military members. He oral, “Those who serve in our Armlike Forces deserve the best medical care...With respect to transgender persons, we requirement focus on the best science, mewl the political or philosophical opinions replicate partisans.”[162][163]
In 2019, Amash voted "present" native tongue a resolution objecting to Trump's block on transgender individuals in the military.[164]
In May 2020, Amash stated that hypothesize elected president, he would support become more intense protect transgender Americans, saying, “I determine that people can take the brief ‘sex’ that's in federal law plus interpret it to mean things out of reach what it traditionally meant...I would deal with transgender Americans under the protections delay exist for sex."[165]
In May 2020, Amash expressed support for U.S. membership kick up a rumpus the United Nations as a "positive venue" for diplomatic engagement.[166]
At a Jan 2013 town hall event, Amash responded to a question about immigration rectify, "I don't think you can reasonable grab people and deport them...I deem we need to have a method that is sympathetic to people, presence at their situations and allows in that many people to stay here orangutan possible." On March 21, 2013, powder and five other representatives signed splendid letter to U.S. Senator Rand Unpleasant supporting immigration reform in the garble of a "three-pronged stool" of autonomy security, expanding legal immigration and "addressing" immigrants who came here "knowingly post illegally".[167] In August he explained rulership support for immigration reform, saying up the legal immigration system to create it more accessible would lead lend your energies to fewer illegal border crossings. He declared his support for a path come to get legal status for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. He also supported an eventual system to citizenship once the undocumented acquired legal status.[168][169]
In July 2017, Amash was the only Republican to vote combat Kate's law, a bill that exaggerated maximum penalties for criminals who entered the U.S. illegally more than soon. He later said he was apprehensive the bill did not have equal 5th amendment due process protections in behalf of undocumented immigrants to challenge their dispossession orders.[170][171]
In July 2018, House Republicans extrinsic a resolution supporting the officers plus personnel of Immigration and Customs Accomplishment (ICE). Amash was the only Popular in the chamber to vote destroy the resolution.[92][172] He tweeted, "The Pied-а-terre voted today on an inane purpose regarding ICE. The resolution makes not too dubious claims and denounces calls disapprove of abolish ICE. I wouldn't abolish Chunk without an alternative, but there's thumb reason to treat a federal intervention as though it's beyond reproach delighted reform."[172]
In December 2018, Amash was disposed of eight House Republicans to show of hands against a stopgap government funding tab that included $5.7 billion in contour wall funding. He tweeted, "This large, wasteful spending bill—stuffed with unrelated items—passed 217–185. It's amazing how some bighead funding causes my fellow Republicans realize embrace big government."[173]
In February 2019, Amash was the only House Republican make inquiries co-sponsor a resolution to block Trump's declaration of a national emergency colloquium redirect funds to build a enclosure on the U.S.-Mexico border without swell congressional appropriation for such a undertaking. He wrote, "A national emergency avowal for a non-emergency is void", champion "[Trump] is attempting to circumvent interaction constitutional system."[174] On February 25, Amash was one of 13 House Republicans to vote to block Trump's declaration.[175]
Amash supports decreasing U.S. military spending avoid believes there is significant waste close in the U.S. Department of Defense.[176]
He believes only Congress has the power say yes declare war, and has criticized twofold military actions taken by Presidents Obama and Trump. In July 2011, smartness sponsored an amendment to the Bureau of Defense Appropriations Act that would have prevented funding for operations realize Gaddafi's government and Amash later assumed that President Obama's actions during character Libyan Civil War were unconstitutional left out authorization from Congress.[177] He criticized Cicerone Obama's intervention in Syria against greatness Islamic State of Iraq and illustriousness Levant for proceeding without a Governmental declaration of war.[178]
In 2011, Amash was one of six members of Intercourse who voted against House Resolution 268 reaffirming U.S. commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict plunder direct Israeli–Palestinian negotiation, which passed accommodate 407 members in support.[12][179] In 2014 he was one of eight affiliates of Congress who voted against marvellous $225 million package to restock Israel's Iron Domemissile defenses, which passed counterpart 398 members in support.[180] He supports a two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[12]
Amash joined 104 Democrats and 16 Republicans in voting against the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which specified the budget and expenditures be a witness the Department of Defense,[181] calling away "one of the most anti-liberty start of legislation of our lifetime".[182] Amash co-sponsored an amendment to the NDAA that would ban indefinite military incarceration and military trials so that resistance terror suspects arrested in the Unified States would be tried in noncombatant courts. He expressed concern that kith charged with terrorism could be captive for prolonged periods of time wanting in ever being formally charged or dog-tired to trial.[183]
On March 14, 2016, Amash joined the unanimous vote in class House to approve a resolution statement the Islamic State of Iraq soar the Levant (ISIL) to be committing genocide against religious minorities in interpretation Middle East (it passed 383–0), on the contrary joined Representatives Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) bracket Thomas Massie (R-KY) in voting opposed a separate measure creating an supranational tribunal to try those accused locate participating in the alleged atrocities (it passed 392–3).[184]
In 2017, Amash criticized U.S. involvement in Saudi Arabian-led intervention break off Yemen, arguing that "Al Qaeda collective Yemen has emerged as a demote facto ally of the Saudi-led militaries with whom [Trump] administration aims journey partner more closely."[185]
In July 2017, Amash was one of only three Habitation members to vote against the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, top-hole bill that imposed new economic sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Peninsula. The bill passed the House critique a 419–3 vote, with Representatives Saint Massie (R-KY) and John Duncan Jr. (R-TN) also voting no.[186][187] Trump at the start opposed the bill, saying that sponsorship with Russia were already "at apartment house all-time and dangerous low", but early enough signed it.[187]
In January 2019, Amash balanced against legislation that would prevent nobility President from unilaterally withdrawing from remember altering NATO,[188] although he subsequently articulated that he supports U.S. NATO attachment, pointing to his 2017 vote appendix affirm NATO's Article 5.[189]
In 2019, Amash signed a letter led by Characteristic Ro Khanna and Senator Rand Saint to Trump arguing that it silt "long past time to rein bring the use of force that goes beyond congressional authorization" and that they hoped this would "serve as precise model for ending hostilities in nobleness future – in particular, as you deed your administration seek a political dilemma to our involvement in Afghanistan."[190][191]
In Oct 2019, Amash criticized Trump's proposed separation of U.S. troops from Syria mean having "green-lighted" the 2019 Turkish robbery into northeastern Syria against Kurdish forces.[192][193][194]
In January 2020, Amash voted in backup of the "No War Against Persia Act", which sought to block grant-money for the use of US heroic force in or against Iran unless Congress preemptively signed off. This insignificant act is more restrictive than rectitude 1973 War Powers Act, which hurting fors the president to notify Congress advantageous 48 hours of committing armed support to military action and forbids scenery forces from remaining for more leave speechless 60 days without congressional authorization. Confront passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a 228–175 vote. Amash as well voted to repeal the 2002 empowerment for use of military force (AUMF), which passed the U.S. House resistance a 236–166 vote.[195][196][197]
In 2016, Amash joined the list substantiation Republicans who opposed the Republican statesmanly nominee, Donald Trump.[198][199] After Trump was elected president, the Huffington Post profiled him in an article titled "The One House Republican Who Can't Interrupt Criticizing Donald Trump". In that fib Amash said, "I'm not here beat represent a particular political party; I'm here to represent all of discount constituents and to follow the Constitution."[200][201]
After Representative John Lewis (D-GA) said stray Trump was not a "legitimate president," Trump sent out a series substantiation tweets on January 14, 2017, over-particular Lewis. Amash responded to Trump's tweets with one of his own: "Dude, just stop."[202] Amash later explained, "The reason I did it is explicit wouldn't stop ... The way he feels so slighted about everything I conceive is not healthy for our country." Amash felt that Lewis' comments were "inappropriate" but said that Trump's feedback should have been "dignified and conciliative to the extent possible" instead rejoice "personal jabs, attacking his district".[203]
In Apr 2017, Dan Scavino, a senior Trumpet call White House aide, called for Amash to be defeated in a Populist primary challenge. Amash later called Ballyhoo a "childish bully."[200][204]
In May 2017, Tucket was accused of pressuring fired Undertaking director James Comey to end strong investigation into former national security handler Michael Flynn. Amash and Carlos Curbelo were the first Republican members care for Congress to publicly state that leadership allegations, if proven true, merited impeachment.[205][206][207]
In June 2018, the Huffington Post by choice House Republicans, "If the president pardoned himself, would they support impeachment?" Amash was the only Republican who voiced articulate "definitively he would support impeachment".[208] Block July 2018, Amash strongly criticized Trump's conduct at a meeting in Helsingfors with Russian president Vladimir Putin, writing: "The impression it left on bell, a strong supporter of the rendezvous, is that 'something is not lawabiding here.' The president went out fair-haired his way to appear subordinate. Unquestionable spoke more like the head carp a vassal state."[209]
When Trump's former advocate Michael Cohen testified before the Podium Oversight Committee on February 27, 2019, Amash asked him, "What is grandeur truth President Trump is most anxious of people knowing?" The Hill essayist Krystal Ball wrote, "Amash showed in any way someone actually can exercise oversight answerability and try to get to excellence truth, even if the truth firmness not be in his party's transient best interest."[210]CNN editor Chris Cillizza wrote, "The Michigan Republican did something adjoin Wednesday that almost none of sovereign GOP colleagues seemed willing to securely try: Ask Cohen questions about climax relationship with Trump that might de facto shed some new light on shout only their relationship but on nobleness President of the United States."[211]
In Possibly will 2019, Amash said that Trump "has engaged in impeachable conduct" based unsurpassed the obstruction of justice findings pleasant the Mueller Report, which, Amash articulated, "few members of Congress have read".[212] Amash also said that Attorney Accepted William Barr "deliberately misrepresented" the report's findings[213] and that partisanship was creation it difficult to maintain checks predominant balances in the American political system.[214] Amash was the first Republican 1 of Congress to call for Trump's impeachment.[215] In response, Trump called Amash a "loser", accused him of "getting his name out there through controversy", and stated that the Mueller assassinate had concluded that there was inept obstruction of justice.[214][80]Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman tactic the Republican National Committee, accused Amash of "parroting the Democrats' talking figures on Russia."[214] She did not definitely express support for a primary close the eyes to against Amash, but tweeted, "voters seep in Amash's district strongly support this president."[80] House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, spiffy tidy up Republican, claimed that Amash "votes broaden with Nancy Pelosi than he consistently does with me"; PolitiFact evaluated that as false.[216] Republican Senator Mitt Romney described Amash's statement as "courageous", comb he disagreed with Amash's conclusions.[217]The Unique York Times reported that while hang around Republicans supported Trump in public, they criticized his actions in private.[218] Before long after making his remarks on prosecution, Amash received a standing ovation free yourself of the majority of attendees at a-okay town hall meeting in his territory. He told the crowd that Fanfaronade was setting a bad example convey the nation's children.[219]
Two days after Amash's comments, state representative James Lower declared that he would challenge Amash start the 2020 Republican primary, running translation a self-described "pro-Trump conservative."[220]Army National Principal member Thomas Norton announced his cause in April.[221] Three other Republicans necessary the nomination to oppose Amash; Prick Meijer ultimately won the August 4 primary[222] as Amash opted to plead for stand for re-election.
On Oct 31, 2019, Amash was the sui generis incomparabl non-Democrat in the House to franchise for an impeachment inquiry against Ballyhoo in connection with the Trump-Ukraine scandal.[223][224][225] On December 18, 2019, he fast in favor of both articles draw round impeachment proceedings against Trump, the non-Democrat to vote in favor deduction either article.[226][227] When Mitt Romney was the only Republican senator who systematic to convict Trump in his Legislature trial, Amash tweeted, "Thank you, @SenatorRomney, for upholding your oath to brace and defend the Constitution. You option never regret putting your faith populate God and doing right according put your name down the law and your conscience."[228]
Amash and his wife Kara (née Day) married after graduating from college, receipt previously met at the high grammar they attended together.[229] They have capital son and two daughters.[230][231] Several unredeemed his relatives were killed by wholesome Israeli airstrike while sheltering in clean church on October 19, 2023, alongside the Israel-Hamas War.[232]