Loading ...Justin Amash: Who is He, What Does He Stand for, and What Should we Expect in the Future?
Congressman Justin Amash, an Arab American considered running for President of the United States, but ultimately decided to sit it out for 2020. So who is Justin Amash, what caused him to consider a Presidential bid, and what can we expect from him in the future?
Justin Amash is an Arab American
Amash was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1980. His father is a Palestinian refugee who came to the United States in 1956, and his mother immigrated from Syria in 1974. He has degrees in economics and law, both from the University of Michigan. He worked as a business lawyer before entering public office as a state representative in Michigan (elected at 28 years old). He was first elected to Congress in November 2010 as the then youngest freshman Member (30 years old). That year, TIME Magazine named him one of its “40 under 40 — Rising Stars of U.S. Politics.”
Since 2010, Amash has represented Michigan’s third district. Although he won each time he ran for Congress, Amash’s competition sometimes tried to use his ethnic identity against him. But his constituents saw past such tactics and have made him a five-term congressman.
Like many Arab Americans, Amash grew up as an active member of his local community in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He and his family are long-time members of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church. He and his two brothers John and Jeff grew up in a bi-lingual home that appreciated their heritage and embraced the opportunities in the United States. He married his high school sweetheart, Kara Day, and they have three children.
Justin Amash often speaks out against President Trump
Most recently, in summer 2019, Amash drew a great deal of national attention when he broke with Republicans with regard to impeaching President Donald Trump. He expressed his views with boldness and clarity, articulating the precise shortcomings of President Trump vis a vis the Mueller Report, and explained his fears about the highly partisan direction in which our country has been moving.
Those who have observed him over the years were not surprised that he ultimately parted ways with the GOP to become an Independent, especially after the nearly blind loyalty Republicans had demonstrated to President Trump. From his first day in office, Amash expressed the importance of open and transparent government, respect for the separation of powers, and an end to “top-down” politics where party leadership is the be-all and end-all of the political process. Most of all, he has called for Congress to be a truly deliberative body that encourages debate on the merits of an issue.
In April 2020, Justin Amash explored the possibility of running for President
Amash considered running for President as a Libertarian. His primary goal was to govern consistently with the U.S. Constitution. This would have meant a diminution of executive power, expectations for a truly deliberative legislative branch, and advancing the interests of the American people – not special interests. In his comments to media, he often cited the founders who, although they were far from perfect, set out to assign limited powers to the branches and erect meaningful checks and balances. Indeed, George Washington is well known for stating his fears that a two-party system could obstruct the execution of the laws and prevent the branches from properly functioning. He was motivated by the promise that, if elected, he would continue to lead by doing what was right for the American people, no matter the political outcome.
Unfortunately for Amash, much of the media coverage on his Presidential bid focused on whether his entering the race might “spoil” it for one of the front runners, Joe Biden or Donald Trump. Nonetheless, he was focused on the hope of changing the highly partisan nature of politics today and expressed that sentiment frequently. For example, he has often said that there is a fundamental problem with our country’s two-party system, especially since Democratic and Republican parties are controlled by a small group of people at the top, who do not represent the views of the plurality of Americans. Amash often emphasizes the importance of respect, compassion, humility, and trust in the political process.
Ultimately, Justin Amash decided not to run in 2020
By mid-May 2020, he decided that an environment did not exist for him to viably run for President. This was especially the case given the news media’s focus on the Covid-19 public health crisis, which resulted in less coverage of presidential campaigns: according to a source who is familiar with Amash’s career.
The media was not prepared to disturb the duopoly that defines today’s politics, so they did not offer him a sufficient platform. Amash had hoped that he would have ample opportunities to crowdsource his views to the country. Instead, the discussion of his candidacy was limited to the question of how he might tip the Electoral College–not to his ideas that could have disrupted and refreshed the status quo. Muting viable contenders other than Trump or Biden reflects what the two-party system has become. When it was clear that he would not be given a real shot, he did the right thing. But acceptance of the composition and direction of today’s two parties is not for their efficacy or adherence to the Constitution, but because they are sufficiently entrenched to dominate the conversation.
Like his policies or not, Justin Amash has been true to what he believes
It is hard to argue that Amash has been anything but principled, honest, and true to his values. For example:
- Independent voting record. Amash has been more independent from party leadership than any other member of Congress. He has voted with Democrats and Republicans and has long fought for the principles of economic freedom, respect for constitutional limits on government, and protection of individual liberty.
- (Almost) never missed a vote. Amash is well known for explaining every vote he takes online. Over the last decade, he made transparency and improving the political process central themes of his work. In all his years in office, he only missed one vote, and it was by mistake.
- Unique foreign policy. Amash believes that the United States must be humble in its international role. It must support peace and freedom throughout the world while respecting the rights of all people to make their own choices about their lives. He frequently expresses his belief that the United States should only engage in conflicts abroad if Congress provides expressed authorization, as the Constitution requires.
- Reductions in military spending. He has repeatedly called for reasonable reductions in military spending, a position many Republicans and Democrats have rejected.
- Preserve individual liberties. He believes that we must work hard to protect individual liberties and the right of all people to live freely. With regard to the Patriot Act, Amash voted against it and other similar legislation that gives the government too much power to monitor the lives of law-abiding citizens in the name of security.
Amash may run for President or another high office in the future
Amash has been disrupting Washington D.C.’s politics since he was elected, and his candidacy for high office would be a conversation-changer. He uniquely attracts people from the right, left, and those in the middle who are fed up with party politics. On any issue people disagree with him on, Justin has an uncanny ability to make up for it in a few key ways.
First, he is principled far beyond the average politician – he believes what he says and does what he believes. Although many others say this, it is rare to find those who “walk the walk.” Second, he does not dumb down his explanation of issues, but his cerebral approach is incredibly clear and palatable. He is the type of person many people are comfortable disagreeing with: respectful of others’ views, but also convincing and persuasive. Finally, he actually enjoys working with both sides of the aisle. Take for example the 2013 amendment he worked on with then-Congressman John Conyers (D-MI). The law they proposed sought to stop NSA’s collection of telephone records. Amash and Rep. Conyers led the way on a controversial issue with nearly unprecedented bi-partisan support. Although narrowly defeated, Amash inspired his colleagues in the House – Republicans, and Democrats – to debate and vote irrespective of party lines.
Amash is talented on the debate stage and enjoys hashing out the issues and presenting new ideas to the American people. In a future election for high office, he would stand out in a significant way. Listeners are likely to appreciate his logic, transparency, levelheadedness, and careful adherence to his principles and the Constitution. As the son of immigrants from the Middle East who was raised in the Midwest, he can relate extremely well both to minorities and non-minorities.
Amash is likely to continue growing in popularity, especially as more Americans are exposed to his messages. He has come a long way – from one of the youngest Michigan state representatives to a leading voice in the House, to one of the boldest politicians today. He has been through a great deal in Congress and on the campaign trail. Even when challengers to his seat have been bankrolled by several large businesses and special interest groups, Amash has repeatedly beat the odds by sticking to his principles and being honest with his constituents. Today more than ever, with his growing audience, Justin Amash is increasingly likely to appeal to a wide array of the American electorate.
Compiled by Arab America
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