History of Justin Amash in Timeline
Justin Amash is an American lawyer and politician who represented Michigan's 3rd congressional district from 2011 to 2021. He is of Palestinian and Syrian descent. Initially a Republican, Amash became an independent in 2019, subsequently joining the Libertarian Party in 2020, making him the only Libertarian to serve in Congress. He returned to the Republican Party in 2024. His tenure was marked by his unique political journey across different affiliations, reflecting his individualistic and libertarian-leaning views.
1948: Amash's Family Expelled from Ramla
In 1948, Justin Amash's paternal family was forcibly expelled from Ramla during the Arab-Israeli War.
1956: Amash's Father Immigrates to US
In 1956, Justin Amash's father, Attallah Amash, immigrated to the United States from Palestine.
1963: Clean Air Act of 1963 referenced
In 2011, Justin Amash voted for the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, which would have amended the Clean Air Act of 1963.
1974: Amash's Parents Marry
In 1974, Justin Amash's parents, Attallah and Mimi, married in Damascus, Syria.
April 18, 1980: Justin Amash Born
On April 18, 1980, Justin Amash was born. He would later become a U.S. Representative for Michigan.
1998: Graduated High School
In 1998, Justin Amash graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School as class valedictorian.
2002: Graduated from the University of Michigan
In 2002, Justin Amash graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with high honors.
2005: Graduated from Law School
In 2005, Justin Amash graduated from the University of Michigan Law School with a Juris Doctor.
2007: Bernie Sanders leaves the House
In 2007, Bernie Sanders left the House after being elected to the Senate.
2008: Elected to Michigan House of Representatives
In 2008, Justin Amash was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives after working for his family's business.
February 9, 2010: Amash Announces Congressional Run
On February 9, 2010, Justin Amash announced his campaign for the Republican nomination for Michigan's third congressional district.
March 2010: Voted against Benzylpiperazine as Schedule I drug
In March 2010, Justin Amash, as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, voted against making benzylpiperazine a schedule I drug, citing concerns about increasing penalties for nonviolent crimes.
2010: Elected to Congress
In 2010, Justin Amash was elected to Congress after serving in the Michigan House of Representatives.
2010: Supported the Defense of Marriage Act
While running for the House of Representatives in 2010, Justin Amash supported the Defense of Marriage Act.
July 2011: Amash sponsors amendment regarding military action in Libya
In July 2011, Justin Amash sponsored an amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Act aimed at preventing funding for operations against Gaddafi's government. Amash argued that President Obama's actions in the Libyan Civil War were unconstitutional without congressional authorization.
November 2011: Voted Against House Resolution Affirming "In God We Trust"
In November 2011, Justin Amash was one of nine representatives who voted against a House resolution that affirmed "In God We Trust" as the official motto of the United States, and was the only Republican to do so.
2011: Congressional Voting Record Begins
From 2011 to 2019, Justin Amash participated in nearly all roll call votes in Congress.
2011: Elected as U.S Representative
In 2011, Justin Amash began serving as the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 3rd congressional district.
2011: Endorsed Ron Paul
In 2011, Justin Amash endorsed Ron Paul's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.
2011: Introduced balanced budget amendment
In 2011, Justin Amash introduced H.J. Res. 81, a Constitutional amendment proposal that would require a balanced budget over the business cycle with a ten-year transition to balance.
2011: Abstained from Planned Parenthood defunding vote
In 2011, Justin Amash voted "present" on the Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, abstaining from defunding legislation for Planned Parenthood due to concerns over its constitutionality.
2011: Voted Against USA PATRIOT Act Reauthorization
In 2011, Justin Amash voted against the reauthorization of the USA PATRIOT Act.
2011: Voted for Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011
In 2011, Justin Amash voted for the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, which would have amended the Clean Air Act of 1963 to prohibit the EPA from regulating specified greenhouse gases.
2011: Amash votes against resolution reaffirming U.S. commitment to Israeli-Palestinian negotiation
In 2011, Justin Amash was one of six members of Congress who voted against House Resolution 268, which reaffirmed U.S. commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict through direct Israeli–Palestinian negotiation.
May 2012: Voted against Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act
In May 2012, Justin Amash voted against the Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act, arguing it was ineffective and would criminalize thought, while maintaining his belief that all abortion should be illegal.
December 3, 2012: Amash Removed from House Budget Committee
On December 3, 2012, Justin Amash was removed from the House Budget Committee as part of a party leadership shift.
2012: Amash opposes National Defense Authorization Act
In 2012, Justin Amash joined 104 Democrats and 16 Republicans in voting against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), calling it "one of the most anti-liberty pieces of legislation of our lifetime". He also co-sponsored an amendment to ban indefinite military detention and military trials for terror suspects arrested in the United States.
2012: Voted Against FISA Amendments Act Reauthorization
In 2012, Justin Amash voted against the reauthorization of the FISA Amendments Act.
January 2013: Expressed Views on Immigration Reform at Town Hall Event
At a January 2013 town hall event, Justin Amash stated, "I don't think you can just grab people and deport them...I think we need to have a system that is sympathetic to people, looks at their situations and allows as many people to stay here as possible."
February 13, 2013: Voted Against Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act
On February 13, 2013, Justin Amash voted against the Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act of 2013. He stated the bill "skews the law away from fairness by making religious buildings automatically eligible for reconstruction aid when other entities aren’t."
March 21, 2013: Signed Letter Supporting Immigration Reform
On March 21, 2013, Justin Amash and five other representatives signed a letter to U.S. Senator Rand Paul supporting immigration reform in the form of a "three-pronged stool" of border security, expanding legal immigration and "addressing" immigrants who came here "knowingly and illegally".
June 12, 2013: Called for Resignation of Director of National Intelligence James Clapper
On June 12, 2013, Justin Amash called for Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to resign for stating at a Senate committee hearing in March that the NSA did not collect data.
2013: Advocated Repealing Defense of Marriage Act
In 2013 Justin Amash advocated repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, saying that the "real threat to traditional marriage & religious liberty is government, not gay couples who love each other & want to spend lives together".
2013: Voted in Favor of Closing Guantanamo Bay
In 2013, Justin Amash was one of two Republicans to vote in favor of closing Guantanamo Bay and transferring its detainees.
2014: Obama's Executive Order Banning Hiring Discrimination
In 2014 President Barack Obama signed an executive order banning federal contractors from making hiring decisions that discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
2014: Amash votes against package to restock Israel's Iron Dome missile defenses
In 2014, Justin Amash was one of eight members of Congress who voted against a $225 million package to restock Israel's Iron Dome missile defenses.
2014: Amash Declines Senate Run
In 2014, despite encouragement to run, Justin Amash chose to seek reelection to the House instead of running for the Senate.
December 31, 2014: Proposed Amendment to Close Guantanamo Bay Failed
The amendment proposed by Adam Smith to close Guantanamo Bay and which Justin Amash voted for, eliminating all funding for the detention facility by December 31, 2014, ultimately failed on a 174–249 vote.
2015: Introduced bill to block DEA asset forfeiture
In 2015, Justin Amash and Representative Ted Lieu introduced a bill to block the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from financing its Cannabis Eradication Program through civil asset forfeiture.
2015: Endorsed Rand Paul
In 2015, Justin Amash endorsed Senator Rand Paul's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.
2015: Voted to Uphold Obama's Executive Order on Hiring Discrimination
In 2015, Justin Amash was among 60 Republicans voting to uphold President Barack Obama's 2014 executive order banning federal contractors from making hiring decisions that discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
March 14, 2016: Amash votes on resolution declaring ISIL genocide
On March 14, 2016, Justin Amash joined the unanimous vote in the House to approve a resolution declaring the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to be committing genocide against religious minorities in the Middle East. However, he voted against a separate measure creating an international tribunal to try those accused of participating in the alleged atrocities.
2016: Amash opposes Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump
In 2016, Justin Amash joined the list of Republicans who opposed the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump. He stated he was there to represent his constituents and to follow the Constitution, not a particular political party.
2016: Voted for Maloney Amendment to Prohibit Discrimination Against LGBT Employees
In 2016, Justin Amash was among 43 Republicans to vote for the Maloney Amendment to H.R. 5055 which would prohibit the use of funds for government contractors who discriminate against LGBT employees.
2016: Voted in Favor of Amendment to Close Guantánamo Bay
In 2016, Justin Amash was one of three Republicans to vote in favor of an amendment to close Guantánamo Bay and potentially allow federal officials to transfer detainees to facilities in the United States.
January 14, 2017: Amash responds to Trump's tweets criticizing John Lewis
On January 14, 2017, Justin Amash responded to President Trump's tweets criticizing Representative John Lewis with the phrase, "Dude, just stop." He felt that Trump's response should have been more dignified.
April 2017: White House aide calls for Amash's defeat
In April 2017, a senior Trump White House aide called for Justin Amash to be defeated in a Republican primary challenge. Amash subsequently called Trump a "childish bully".
May 4, 2017: Voted in favor of repealing Obamacare
On May 4, 2017, Justin Amash voted in favor of repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and to pass a revised version of the American Health Care Act, after initially opposing it.
May 2017: Amash suggests Trump impeachment is merited if allegations are true
In May 2017, Justin Amash and Carlos Curbelo were the first Republican members of Congress to publicly state that allegations of President Trump pressuring FBI director James Comey merited impeachment if proven true.
July 2017: Amash votes against sanctions bill targeting Russia, Iran, and North Korea
In July 2017, Justin Amash was one of only three House members to vote against the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which imposed new economic sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
July 2017: Only Republican to Vote Against Kate's Law
In July 2017, Justin Amash was the only Republican to vote against Kate's law, a bill that increased maximum penalties for criminals who entered the U.S. illegally more than once.
2017: Cosponsored Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act
In 2017, Justin Amash cosponsored the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act, which sought to legalize cannabis at the federal level.
2017: Amash criticizes U.S. involvement in Yemen
In 2017, Justin Amash criticized U.S. involvement in the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, arguing that Al Qaeda in Yemen had emerged as a de facto ally of the Saudi-led militaries.
2017: Opposed President Trump's Executive Order Banning Citizens of Muslim-Majority Countries
In 2017, Justin Amash opposed President Donald Trump's executive order to ban citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the United States, stating it "overreaches and undermines our constitutional system."
2017: Voted for abortion ban
In 2017, Justin Amash voted in favor of federal legislation to ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, describing himself as "100 percent pro-life".
2017: Amash supports U.S. NATO membership
In 2017, Justin Amash voted to affirm NATO's Article 5.
2017: Voted Against Amendment Prohibiting Funds for Gender Transition Support
In 2017, Justin Amash was one of two dozen Republicans to vote against an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have prohibited taxpayer funds from being used by the Department of Defense to provide gender transition support to military members.
2017: Climate science debate
In a 2017 debate, Justin Amash "exaggerated uncertainty around the basics of climate science" by casting doubt about the scientific consensus that carbon emissions cause climate change.
June 2018: Amash says he would support impeachment if Trump pardoned himself
In June 2018, Justin Amash was the only Republican who said he would support impeachment if President Trump pardoned himself.
July 2018: Amash criticizes Trump's conduct at Helsinki meeting with Putin
In July 2018, Justin Amash strongly criticized President Trump's conduct at a meeting in Helsinki with Russian president Vladimir Putin, suggesting that Trump appeared subordinate and spoke more like the head of a vassal state.
July 2018: Only Republican to Vote Against Resolution Supporting ICE
In July 2018, Justin Amash was the only Republican in the chamber to vote against a resolution supporting the officers and personnel of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
July 2018: Only House Member to Vote Against National Suicide Prevention Hotline
In July 2018, Justin Amash was the only member of the U.S. House to vote against creating a three-digit national suicide prevention hotline, arguing that Congress lacked the constitutional power to pass the legislation.
December 2018: Voted Against Stopgap Government Funding Bill with Border Wall Funding
In December 2018, Justin Amash was one of eight House Republicans to vote against a stopgap government funding bill that included $5.7 billion in border wall funding.
2018: Supported independent process for drawing districts
In 2018, Justin Amash expressed his support for adopting an independent process for drawing districts based on geographic considerations, opposing political gerrymandering.
January 2019: Amash votes against legislation preventing unilateral withdrawal from NATO
In January 2019, Justin Amash voted against legislation that would prevent the President from unilaterally withdrawing from or altering NATO.
February 2019: Amash co-sponsors resolution to block Trump's national emergency declaration
In February 2019, Justin Amash was the only House Republican to co-sponsor a resolution to block President Trump's declaration of a national emergency to redirect funds for building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. He argued that the declaration was an attempt to circumvent the constitutional system.
February 27, 2019: Amash questions Michael Cohen
On February 27, 2019, Justin Amash questioned Michael Cohen before the House Oversight Committee about what truths President Trump was most afraid of people knowing.
May 2019: Amash calls for Trump's impeachment
In May 2019, Justin Amash stated that President Trump had "engaged in impeachable conduct" based on the Mueller Report's findings, making him the first Republican member of Congress to publicly call for Trump's impeachment.
June 2019: Left House Freedom Caucus
In June 2019, Justin Amash left the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative Republicans in the House.
July 4, 2019: Amash Announces Departure from Republican Party
On July 4, 2019, Justin Amash announced in an op-ed that he was leaving the Republican Party to become an independent.
July 8, 2019: Amash Formally Resigns from Republican Party
On July 8, 2019, Justin Amash formally resigned from the Republican Party, becoming the only independent in the House of Representatives at that time.
July 2019: Cosponsored bill to abolish the death penalty
In July 2019, Justin Amash cosponsored Representative Ayanna Pressley's bill that would abolish the death penalty at the federal level.
October 2019: Amash criticizes Trump's withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria
In October 2019, Justin Amash criticized President Trump's proposed withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria for having "green-lighted" the Turkish offensive against Kurdish forces.
October 31, 2019: Amash votes for impeachment inquiry
On October 31, 2019, Justin Amash was the only non-Democrat in the House to vote for an impeachment inquiry against President Trump regarding the Trump-Ukraine scandal.
December 18, 2019: Amash votes for Trump's impeachment
On December 18, 2019, Justin Amash voted in favor of both articles of impeachment against President Trump, making him the only non-Democrat to do so.
2019: End of Voting Record Period
From 2011 to 2019, Justin Amash participated in nearly all roll call votes in Congress.
2019: Amash Becomes an Independent
In 2019, Justin Amash changed his party affiliation from Republican to Independent.
2019: Amash signs letter arguing to rein in the use of force beyond congressional authorization
In 2019, Justin Amash signed a letter to Trump arguing that it is "long past time to rein in the use of force that goes beyond congressional authorization".
2019: Voted "Present" on Resolution Objecting to Trump's Transgender Restrictions
In 2019, Justin Amash voted "present" on a resolution objecting to Trump's restrictions on transgender individuals in the military.
January 2020: Amash votes in favor of "No War Against Iran Act"
In January 2020, Justin Amash voted in favor of the "No War Against Iran Act", which sought to block funding for the use of US military force in or against Iran without congressional approval. Amash also voted to repeal the 2002 authorization for use of military force (AUMF).
February 26, 2020: Voted against Justice for Victims of Lynching Act
On February 26, 2020, Justin Amash was one of four representatives who voted against the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act, stating that it would expand the use of the death penalty and that the acts criminalized by the bill are already illegal under federal law.
April 2020: Amash Joins Libertarian Party
In April 2020, Justin Amash joined the Libertarian Party, becoming the first Libertarian member to serve in either house of Congress.
April 28, 2020: Amash Forms Exploratory Committee
On April 28, 2020, Justin Amash announced the formation of an exploratory committee to seek the Libertarian presidential nomination.
May 2020: Expressed Support for U.S. Membership in the United Nations
In May 2020, Justin Amash expressed support for U.S. membership in the United Nations as a "positive venue" for diplomatic engagement.
May 2020: Stated Support for Protecting Transgender Americans if Elected President
In May 2020, Justin Amash stated that if elected president, he would support and protect transgender Americans under the protections that exist for sex.
June 2020: Introduced Ending Qualified Immunity Act
In June 2020, Justin Amash and Ayanna Pressley introduced the Ending Qualified Immunity Act which would remove qualified immunity protection from law enforcement officers and other officials.
June 26, 2020: Voted against D.C. Statehood bill
On June 26, 2020, Justin Amash voted against H.R. 51, the D.C. Statehood bill.
July 2020: Amash Announces He Will Not Seek Re-Election
In July 2020, Justin Amash announced that he would not seek re-election to the House of Representatives.
December 2020: Introduced Civil Asset Forfeiture Elimination Act
In December 2020, Justin Amash introduced a bill titled the Civil Asset Forfeiture Elimination Act to abolish the practice nationwide.
2020: Presidential Aspirations and Congressional Exit
In 2020, Justin Amash formed an exploratory committee for a Libertarian presidential run but later withdrew and did not seek reelection to Congress.
2020: Supported MORE Act
In 2020, Justin Amash supported the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act to legalize cannabis at the federal level.
2020: Views on American two-party system
In a 2020 interview, Justin Amash expressed his views on the American two-party system and how politicians focus on media perception rather than legislating.
2020: Stated climate change is real
In a 2020 interview, Justin Amash said that climate change is a real and "very important" issue, that he believes climate change is being driven at least in part by human activity and that "action with respect to climate change" should be taken.
January 2021: Amash Leaves Congress
In January 2021, Justin Amash left Congress as the only Libertarian to have served in that body.
November 2022: Amash Expresses Willingness to Serve as Speaker
In November 2022, Justin Amash tweeted that he would be willing to serve as a "nonpartisan" Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
January 4, 2023: Amash Offers Candidacy for Speaker of the House
On January 4, 2023, Justin Amash offered himself as a candidate for Speaker of the United States House of Representatives during voting, but did not receive any votes.
January 2024: Exploratory committee for Senate run
In January 2024, Justin Amash announced the formation of an exploratory committee to consider running for the United States Senate in Michigan as a Republican.
February 29, 2024: Announced Senate run
On February 29, 2024, Justin Amash formally announced his candidacy for the United States Senate election in Michigan as a Republican.
August 6, 2024: Lost primary election
On August 6, 2024, Justin Amash lost the primary election to Mike Rogers in his bid for the U.S. Senate seat, receiving only 15.7% of the vote.
2024: Amash Returns to the Republican Party
In 2024, Justin Amash returned to the Republican Party.
