Get to Know Representative Amash

 

Biographical Information  

 A 38 year old Grand Rapids native, Justin Amash represents his home district in the 116th United States Congress.

Political Party: Republican

Religion: Born to a Palestinian Christian father and a Syrian Christian mother, Justin is an Orthodox Christian. 

Education: Justin received his bachelor’s degree with High Honors in economics from the University of Michigan and his juris doctor from the University of Michigan Law School.

Family: Justin lives with his wife, Karla, and their three kids in Cascade Charter Township.
Source

 

Tenure

Justin Amash practiced law for his father's business and served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2008 to 2010. Justin was elected to Congress in 2010 and is currently serving his fourth term.   Source

 Committee Assignments 

 Source 

2017-2018: Currently, Justin serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR). As part of the OGR, he  works on Subcommittee on Information Technology and the OGR Subcommittee on National Security. Justin also chairs the House Liberty Caucus.

2015-2016 

• Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets

2013-2014  

• Oversight and Government Reform Committee

•  Subcommittee on Government Operations
•  Subcommittee on National Security, Homeland Defense, and Foreign Operations

• Joint Economic Committee

2011-2012

• Budget Committee
• Joint Economic Committee
• Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  • Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service, and Labor Policy Vice Chair
  • Subcommittee Government Organization, Efficiency, and Financial Management
  • Subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services, and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs

Legislation  

Source

Sponsored, Enacted Bill

• Public Law No: 115-346 (12/21/2018) 
  Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 907 Fourth Avenue in Lake Odessa, Michigan, as the "Donna Sauers Besko Post Office." Source 
  
  Noteworthy Sponsored Bills
  
  
  •   H.R. 3114  Export-Import Bank Termination Act
  •  H.R. 5142   Readable Legislation Act of 2018
  •  H.R. 5143   Searchable Legislation Act of 2018
  •  H. R. 440   To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act, to clarify the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security to take property using eminent domain, and for other purposes. 
  •   H.J.Res. 142  Directing the President to terminate the use of the United States Armed Forces with respect to the military intervention led by Saudi Arabia in the Republic of Yemen.
  •  H.Res. 957  Disapproving of the request of the President for the extension, under section 103(c)(1)(B)(i) of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015  

  

Crossing Party Lines

 In March 2012, Justin voted against Paul Ryan's budget plan in the House Budget Committee. He opposed Trump as the GOP nominee in the 2016 Election. Source Justin also voted against funding President Trump's border wall. Source

Interest Groups  

Source

FreedomWorks
"We are over 6 million Americans who are passionate about promoting free markets and individual liberty. Our members all share three common traits: a desire for less government, lower taxes, and more economic freedom." Source

Michigan Farm Bureau 
"The purpose of the Michigan Farm Bureau is to represent, protect, and enhance the business, economic, social and educational interests of our members." Source

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
"National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law's mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty." Source

Right to Life of Michigan  
"Right to Life of Michigan is a non-partisan, non-sectarian organization of diverse and caring people united to protect the precious gift of human life from fertilization to natural death." Source

Leadership

In addition to being the House Liberty Caucus chairman, media highlights spur considerable support for Justine. He often makes headlines as a result of not conforming to partisan stances. Even with traditional conservative values, he manages to oppose the GOP.    Source

Fun Facts

 Justin missed 0 of 3,358 roll call votes from January 2011 to September 2015.  Source

In order to combat government overspending, Justin introduced a balanced budget amendment, the Business Cycle Balanced Budget Amendment, advocating for a fair and simple tax code and a regulatory environment.  Source

According to the conservative website RedState, Amash was one of 16 U.S. House members in the "Conservative Fight Club." Specifically, a group of individuals labeled as the "gold standard for conservatives in the House." Source

Sources

Photograph

amash.house.gov
ballotpedia.com
www.gop.gov
www.govtrack.us/
justinamash.com
http://thehill.com/
http://votesmart.org/