Congressman Justin Amash apologizes to a crowd outside the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum before a town hall meeting in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. The crowd outside was not allowed into the meeting because the auditorium was at capacity.
Mike Clark | MLive.com
With the auditorium inside the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum filled to capacity, staff on Tuesday, Jan. 17, turned away dozens gathered outside hoping to attend U.S. Rep. Justin Amash's first town hall meeting of 2017.
The congressman’s staff reported such a large turnout is very unusual.
With so much interest in the discussion inside, here are some of the major highlights from the hour-long question and answer session between the Cascade Township Republican and his constituents.
Congressman Justin Amash speaks during a town hall meeting at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.
Mike Clark | MLive.com
It's ACA, not Obamacare
A reference by the congressman to "Obamacare" derailed the event for several minutes while members of the audience insisted he use "Affordable Care Act" to reference the 2010 law.
Amash’s assertions that the outgoing Democratic president himself embraced the nickname for the sweeping healthcare overhaul did little to calm the crowd.
He eventually agreed to refer to it the “ACA.”
Congressman Justin Amash speaks during a town hall meeting at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.
Mike Clark | MLive.com
Why a 'no' vote
Amash explained why he recently voted against legislation called ‘a first step’ toward dismantling Obamacare, expanding on a series of tweets from last week.
He explained that the budget resolution would not actually repeal the healthcare law. His opposition to the resolution, Amash said, was because it would “add more than $9 trillion to the debt over the next decade” and “never balances … ever.”
“I think our national debt is our greatest concern going forward,” he said. “I think it’s outrageous to pass a budget like that.”
Congressman Justin Amash speaks during a town hall meeting at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.
Mike Clark | MLive.com
Amash was one of two congressman who in December demanded a classified briefing on reports that Russia interfered in November's presidential election.
Congress has been provided access to information, though not any "direct evidence," according to Amash. Still, he said the consistency of reports from multiple sources have led him to the conclusion that the alleged hacking "likely" was conducted by Russia to influence the election.
"I find it hard to believe that all of them are just making it up," Amash said.
Tricia Ophoff raises her hand to ask Congressman Justin Amash a question during a town hall meeting at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.
Mike Clark | MLive.com
Repealing Obamacare
When asked directly if he supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, Amash said he supports a repeal of the 2010 federal healthcare law, with individual states providing a replacement.
"You can have a repeal that is triggered by state replacement," he said. "In other words, you pass legislation to repeal. As states replace the legislation, then the repeal is triggered in that state. That is what I'm talking about."
Congressman Justin Amash speaks during a town hall meeting at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.
Mike Clark | MLive.com
Sessions has 'a lot of bad views'
When asked about Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump's pick for attorney general, Amash said he is critical of the nominee and has expressed that viewpoint to senators responsible for Sessions' confirmation.
"I think Sessions holds a lot of bad views," he said. "Whether it's meta data collection; he supports civil asset forfeiture, where they take property away from people without a conviction. His position on drug laws as well; his belief that the federal government should continue to criminalize everything."
Audience members listen to Congressman Justin Amash during a town hall meeting at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.
Mike Clark | MLive.com
Team Republican vs. Team Democrat
Amash said he sees "partisanship" in the nation getting worse, something he believes is harmful to the country as a whole.
"It matters that we are consistent as a people, that we are not thinking just in terms of teams all the time," he said. "That it's Team Republican versus Team Democrat. I think that is very dangerous for our country."
That statement, combined with one that followed about not voting for Trump, earned the congressman two of the biggest rounds of applause of the night.
Congressman Justin Amash speaks during a town hall meeting at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.
Mike Clark | MLive.com
When asked by a constituent, "How do you work with a president like that?" in the context of Trump's attitudes toward Russia, Amash refernced his Twitter presence.
"I mean, have you seen my tweets?" he asked, spawning thunderous applause and a few laughs.
"I'm not a very partisan guy, despite all the hissing in here," Amash said. "I will hold President Trump accountable just like I held President Obama accountable."
Congressman Justin Amash speaks during a town hall meeting at Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.
Mike Clark | MLive.com
Education a 'state issue'
Answering a question about what can be done to protect the country's public schools, Amash said it should not be up to Congress.
"It is a state issue, not a federal issue," he said. "The things the federal government has done on education have been harmful to education in most ways. Like No Child Left Behind, I think, was harmful."
Despite vocal opposition from many in the audience, Amash stuck by his argument for decreasing federal involvement in public education rather than increasing it.
A crowd forms outside the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum after the doors to the museum are locked before a town hall meeting with Congressman Justin Amash in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017. Many people were not allowed into the meeting because the auditorium was at capacity.
Mike Clark | MLive.com
Despite the criticism, most applauded the congressman as he concluded the meeting after about an hour.
"I appreciate the back-and-forth," Amash said.
Addressing the overcrowding that quite literally left many out in the cold, he expressed a desire to find a larger space to hold the next such event.
"I will try to consider getting a larger room," Amash said. "I want to make sure we can accommodate as many people as possible."
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