Majority of California Representatives Support Failed Amash Amendment

image
JR SnodgrassJR Snodgrass
Published: 29 Jul, 2013
2 min read
Justin Amash // Credit: Gage Skidmore

Justin Amash // Credit: Gage Skidmore

An amendment to the Patriot Act that would have limited the surveillance powers of the NSA, failed to pass the House last week by a vote of 205-217 with 12 not voting.

The amendment, sponsored by Justin Amash (R-Michigan), would have modified section 215 of the Patriot Act to force the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA) to demonstrate that targeted records were relevant to the case against a person under investigation. The amendment received widespread support from civil liberties advocates on both sides of the aisle, but was opposed by established party leaders.

In California, a majority of representatives supported the proposed legislation, with 58 percent voting yes. Of California’s 38 Democratic representatives, 27 voted in favor of the amendment (71 percent), a much higher rate than the Democrats nationally (55 percent).

However, the vote was deeply divided along party lines. Four of 15 California Republican representatives voted for the amendment (27 percent). A much lower percentage than the Republican representatives overall (40 percent).

Despite being sponsored by Amash, a Republican, the bill received more yes votes from Democrats than it did from Republicans. This is especially remarkable considering the Democratically controlled White House issued a statement openly condemning the legislation before the vote.

The lack of Republican support for Rep. Amash’s amendment was not unexpected. Amash votes against his own party more than any other member of Congress, and has developed a reputation as being an unreliable ally in the eyes of the Republican establishment.

His outspoken positions on to the protection of civil liberties and privacy rights has countered efforts by the White House, the intelligence community, and the military. Yet, consequently, these positions have garnered support and cooperation from liberal Democrats.

Though the amendment failed to pass, Amash’s actions are largely considered to be a victory. Recent polls show little support for increased surveillance powers, especially in the wake of the Edward Snowden leaks. Amash seems to be at the cutting edge of representative government as it catches up to public opinion (as are the representatives in California).

IVP Donate

You Might Also Like

Proposition 50 voter guide
California Prop 50: Partisan Power Play or Necessary Counterpunch?
November 4 marks a special election for what has become the most controversial ballot measure in California in recent memory: Proposition 50, which would circumvent congressional districts drawn by the state’s independent redistricting commission for a legislative-drawn map....
01 Oct, 2025
-
9 min read
court gavel.
Virtual Discussion: The Fight for Equal Independent Voting Rights Makes it to SCOTUS
Every major voting rights movement in U.S. history – whether successful or not – has intertwined with landmark litigation. This was the case for women’s suffrage. It was the case for civil rights. And it is the case in the ongoing effort to protect the right of all voters to have equal participation in taxpayer-funded elections – something millions of independent voters are denied across the U.S....
29 Sep, 2025
-
2 min read
Supreme Court building
SCOTUS Considers Challenge to Closed Primaries -- Here's Why It Is Such a Big Deal
In a dramatic step forward for litigation challenging closed primaries, the U.S. Supreme Court has indicated they are going to conference to discuss whether to grant a writ of certiorari to Polelle v. Florida Secretary of State; a case challenging Florida's closed primaries that Open Primaries has supported since its inception....
26 Sep, 2025
-
2 min read