Republican Congressman Justin Amash says if he wins another term in the House, he wants to keep defending people’s rights, serve as a check on the executive branch, and improve the process in the House.
Amash is seeking his fifth term in the House. He represents all of Calhoun, Barry and Ionia Counties as well as most of Kent and part of Montcalm County. He sat down with WMUK’s Gordon Evans at Western Michigan University’s Kendall Center in Battle Creek.
Process
Amash says the House process is very closed right now. He says that members are not allowed to go to the House floor to offer amendments, but have to go through the House rules committee. Amash says that applies to amendments offered by members of both parties, but he’s not convinced that Democrats will offer a better alternative if they win control of the House.
Saudi Arabia
After journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared, Amash and other representatives proposed legislation to end arms sales to Saudi Arabia. It was later confirmed that Khashoggi was killed. Amash says the killing of Khashoggi is the latest in a long line of human rights abuses by Saudi Arabia. Amash says he’s not calling for sanctions of military action against Saudi Arabia.
Climate Change
The U.N. International Panel on Climate Change recently issued a report warning of dire consequences if action is not taken soon. Amash says the U.S. should engage with other nations on climate change. He says improving economic standards around the world would help. Amash says people are more willing to dedicate resources to a cleaner environment if their own economy is strong.
Taxes and Spending
Amash says the tax cut bill signed into law last year included a reduction for everyone. Responding to criticism that it mostly helps the wealthy, he says “when some people pay a lot of taxes…they’re going to get more dollars back.” Amash says the U.S. can cut taxes and still reduce the deficit. He says that requires cutting spending. Asked for areas he would cut, Amash says the U.S. is spending way more on military spending than the rest of the world. He says a lot of that money goes to civilian contractors. The Fort Custer Training Center near Battle Creek is one of four sites being considered for a missile defense system. Amash says he will support the system if the Defense Department thinks it’s a good idea. But he says the decision should not be based on bringing jobs to the area, but rather the best location for defense purposes. Amash says Congress also has to ensure that programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid work into the future.
Immigration
Amash says the U.S. needs to improve the legal immigration system. He says system is broken, so it has led to more illegal immigration. Amash says people in the country legally are more likely to assimilate, learn English and pay taxes. He says there should not be a whole population of people living underground. Amash says if that is fixed “we can decide as a country what the appropriate rate of immigration is.”
Control of the House
Democrats are hoping to take control of Congress in the November elections. Amash says he knows what’s it like to work with leaders who don’t agree with him on everything. Republicans were in the minority during his two terms in the Michigan House. Amash says he will continue to be an independent voice in the House. If Democrats do win a majority of House seats, Amash says he would continue working with their members on issues such as civil liberties and foreign policy. Republican Party Amash says while the Republican Party has changed in many ways since the election of President Donald Trump, “I’ve stayed the same.” Amash says he remains a “Constitutional conservative” and a Libertarian. The Congressman says sometimes he agrees with Republicans and sometimes with Democrats. Amash says parties go through changes, but he says “right now I think the strongest base of support is the President’s base of support.”
Discussion of other issues can heard in the web version of the interview.
Trade
Amash says President Trump is doing the wrong thing on tariffs. He says the North American Free Trade Agreement is outdated, and improvements can be made, but he says the new deal also has things that are worse for Americans. Amash says the overall goal of trade agreements should be to reduce barriers.
Health Care
Amash says the health care system that most people will find desirable would have a large market based component with a “backstop” for low income people and people with pre-existing conditions. Amash says in those cases benefits should be provided directly from the government to people.
Redistricting
Michigan voters are considering a ballot initiative to change the state’s redistricting process. Amash says he has not taken a position on any of the ballot issues, but says the redistricting process in Michigan has been too partisan. Amash says Proposal 2 is a little bit convoluted. But he says the current system where the state Legislature redraws the lines every 10 years after the Census “is terrible.”
Marijuana
Another ballot proposal this November would legalize recreational marijuana in Michigan, but pot would remain a schedule 1 drug under federal law. Amash says legalizing marijuana should be a state decision. He says the federal Constitution doesn’t have anything to do with drugs or drug laws.
PFASes
PFASes have been found in high levels in both Calhoun and Kent Counties. Amash says it’s important that the federal government is involved in finding a solution because it contributed to the problem, especially at military bases and airports.
