Republican Rep. Justin Amash believes that the best way to help the people of Flint is to not accept the $80 million and counting from the federal government because it’s an … intrastate matter. Or something. Apparently, Amash takes issue with the constitutional authority of the federal government to spend on local disasters and wants the state to foot the entire bill. Michigan Live reports:
Amash, R-Cascade Township, takes the position that the state should be at the forefront in responding to the crisis.
"While the U.S. Constitution does not authorize the federal government to intervene in an intrastate matter like this one, the State of Michigan should provide comprehensive assistance to the people of Flint," Amash said. "The residents who were harmed deserve an independent, nonpartisan investigation, and the persons responsible for this crisis must be held accountable."
Amash, in his time as a state and federal lawmaker, has frequently been part of a vocal minority on matters that he believes fall outside the scope of the Constitution.
Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint, appealed to President Barack Obama for a federal disaster declaration, backing a request from Gov. Rick Snyder.
Keep in mind that it was Michigan’s penny-pinching and total disregard for Flint’s citizens that led here in the first place. And the costs of fixing the water infrastructure will likely be astronomical. That’s in addition to the long periods of medical care needed by people exposed to lead. There’s also the payments for the water itself and the impending threat of multiple class-action lawsuits. That’s a lot of money! Of course, Amash can continue his grandstanding because it is entirely meaningless. The money has been approved and it will be used. And that’s pretty much that.