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Rep. Amash talks Syria, enviornment in latest town hall

For the third day in row, Michigan Representative Justin Amash hosted a town hall Wednesday evening in West Michigan, the latest taking place at the Van Singel Arts Center at Bryon Center's High School. Before fielding questions from the audience, Amash began the evening by addressing his concern over President Donald Trump authorizing a military strike on a Syrian government airbase in response to a chemical weapons attack allegedly orchestrated by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

“I know that there are a lot of people who think, that when chemical weapons are used, the right thing to do is retaliate," Amash said. "The issue is, our founders intended for decisions like that, where we get into a new conflict, a new war--they expected those decisions to be made with the American people, working through their representatives,” he said. 

While the audience seemed respectful and subdued compared to previous, more contentious town halls Amash has hosted, many in attendance were unsatisfied with the Congressman's answer on how to best take care of the environment.

“Our economy, having a strong and prosperous economy, is what helps keeps the environment clean," Amash said to a chorus of boos. "That is the most important thing when it comes to environmental protection,” he said. 

Amash also spoke about the need to still repeal Obama Care despite his opposition to President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan's failed American Health Care Act. 

On Tuesday, Amash told a town hall in Cedar Springs that Ryan needed to take a new direction in his leadership or step down from his post. 

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