4 highlights from U.S. Rep. Justin Amash's town hall in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A few hundred gathered in the auditorium of Cornerstone University's Matthews Performing Arts Center Thursday, Aug. 31, to engage face-to-face with their congressman.

U.S. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township, gave sometimes lengthy and sometimes one-word responses to their questions and comments.

Thursday saw a notably smaller and less boisterous crowd than those at Amash's and other congressional town halls earlier in 2017.

The West Michigan congressman has held several such events in Michigan's 3rd congressional district since his reelection in November 2016. Compared to the struggle earlier this year to find venues large enough to accommodate the hundreds flocking to the events - many of whom came to voice a strong opposition to the new presidential administration - the atmosphere was downright peaceful.

Though the occasional "boo" could still be heard Thursday, they were relatively infrequent. Plenty of open seats could be found throughout the about two-hour event, and a steady trickle of departures began about an hour into the question and answer session.

Though many topics were discussed during the meeting, here are highlights from four of the most interesting:

Donald Trump

More than one member of the audience questioned President Donald Trump's leadership. One complimented Amash for "calling out" Trump for some of his statements and actions.

Another member of the audience asked the congressman why more Republicans are not speaking out against the president.

Attempting to explain the situation, Amash said one reason many Republicans remain silent is because they believe the media is "left-leaning" and is merely "nitpicking" things they would not be if Trump was a Democrat. They belive criticizing the president can do more harm than good, he posited.

"They don't think it gets them anywhere," Amash said. "They don't think it lends them respect from anyone or that it has any ultimate benefit. Other than to put the Democrats in power, from their perspective, who will then use that double-standard to allow their president to do whatever he wants with no check."

In answer to a question about his support of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. election, Amash answered in the affirmative.

"I think it should continue," he said.

Political divide

More than once Thursday, discussion drifted back to the divide separating the country into two warring factions: the Republicans and Democrats, the conservatives and progressives, the right and the left.

Dividing ourselves into two groups will block potential progress on a number of fronts, Amash said, and is a serious problem that needs to be remedied.

"Everyone needs to talk to their neighbors more," Amash said. "Really try to get an understanding for why they believe what they believe."

Though the spotlight for the fight is often pointed at Washington D.C., Amash said he believes Congress is merely responding to a divide they see at home. If citizens attempt to understand one another, listen to one another and seek compromise, Amash said the attitude will be reflected in the nation's congressional delegation as well.

He said that is a big part of why he hosts town hall meetings, despite criticism from some that he is catering to a group of Democrats who will never vote for him.

"Someone has to start doing the honorable thing," Amash said. "Even if the other side doesn't respect them."


With a potential end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in the news, many wanted the congressman to weigh in on the program that provides protections for some undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.

"I think Congress should pass legislation to address that issue," Amash said. "Because people who were brought here at a young age, they will not know much about the country they came from. And I don't think it's a good idea to send them back. I think we should be compassionate and understand that it wasn't their fault that they were brought here. Their parents may have brought them here."

J.P. Palacios, a teenager who identified himself as a DACA recipient, asked Amash what he and others like him should do.

"It's not like you intended to come here and be here in violation of the law," Amash said. "Someone else made that decision; I don't think you should bear the brunt of that."

Later on during the forum, an audience member pointed out that some recent news reports suggested DACA could be rescinded as early as Friday, Sept. 1. Amash said he was unaware of any such news, but said he believes Congress should take a role in a decision about the DACA program.


Amash defended his "yes" vote on the American Health Care Act in May, and expressed hope that the legislation's ultimate failure does not spell an end to efforts to make changes to the federal healthcare system created under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

In a response to a question asking if healthcare overhaul is a "dead issue" in Congress, Amash said he expects the process to take time.

Ultimately, he said, parties on both sides will need to agree to some sort of middle ground, himself included.

"I don't think that the federal government should be involved," Amash said. "Is there some compromise I would accept? Of course there is."

Amash said he does not expect any action "in the next few months."

"It may linger into the next term, not of this president, but of Congress," he said. "The next Congress."

Amash will hold another town hall session with constituents before calling an end to Congress' monthlong August recess and heading back to Washington D.C.

The upcoming town hall is set for noon Friday, Sept. 1, at Barry Community Enrichment Center in Hastings.

First elected to Congress in 2010, Amash won reelection to a fourth term in November 2016.

He represents Michigan's 3rd District, which stretches from Albion in the south to Sand Lake in the north and includes all or portions of Barry, Calhoun, Ionia, Kent and Montcalm counties.