Justin Amash votes to condemn Russia for its incursion into Ukraine

[Krzysztof Lesiak]

Justin Amash has now consistently shown he's no non-interventionist when it comes to foreign policy. Is it because he has an establishment primary challenge? Is he selling out his principles to cozy up to the establishment? Or does he genuinely believe what he's voting for?

Either way, it's quite disappointing.

Meanwhile, Thomas Massie has shown that he is the one consistent supporter of non-interventionism, even standing out as the lone opponent of a recent bill that called for "strengthening the U.S. - Israel alliance."

7 nay votes, Amash not one of them.

NAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 117
(Republicans in roman; Democrats in italic; Independents underlined)

H RES 499 2/3 YEA-AND-NAY 11-Mar-2014 7:11 PM
QUESTION: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended
BILL TITLE: Condemning the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity by military forces of the Russian Federation

YEAS NAYS PRES NV
REPUBLICAN 218 5 1 7
DEMOCRATIC 184 2 13
INDEPENDENT
TOTALS 402 7 1 20

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2014/roll117.xml

The 7 nay votes:

Jimmy Duncan (R) TN (member of Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity)
Alcee Hastings (D) FL
Walter Jones (R) NC (member of Ron Paul Institute)
Thomas Massie (R) KY (next Ron Paul?)
Gwen Moore (D) WY
Steve Stockman (R) TX
Ted Yoho (R) FL

 

[tsai3904]

This is how he explained a recent resolution expressing disapproval of violence in Venezuela:

I voted yes on the motion to suspend the rules and pass ‪#‎HRes488‬, which expresses the support of the House for the democratic aspirations of the people of Venezuela and urges involved parties to seek a peaceful resolution to the crisis there. The United States should not insert itself into the conflict in Venezuela, but I'm comfortable with this nonbinding resolution expressing disapproval of the use of violence and intimidation. The resolution passed 393-1.

https://www.facebook.com/repjustinamash/posts/680801445292598

 

[nobody's_hero]

I really just don't think our government has the credibility to be talking smack to others about violating sovereignty.

 

[Rudeman]

I really just don't think our government has the credibility to be talking smack to others about violating sovereignty.

Maybe, maybe not, but it doesn't make it wrong. I don't see a problem with condemning someone for their actions, just because you support non-intervention doesn't mean you need to sit silently and ignore issues.

 

[erowe1]

Here's the text of the resolution:

Summary: H.Res.499 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)

There is one summary for this bill. Bill summaries are authored by CRS.
Shown Here:
Introduced in House (03/05/2014)

Condemns Russia's military violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

States that Russia's military intervention: (1) is in breach of its United Nations (U.N.) obligations, and of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances in which it pledged to respect Ukraine's independence and existing borders; and (2) poses a threat to international peace and security.

Calls on Russia to remove its military forces from Ukraine's Crimean peninsula, other than those operating in accordance with its 1997 agreement on the Status and Conditions of the Black Sea Fleet Stationing on the Territory of Ukraine, and to refrain from interference in all regions of Ukraine.

Declares that the Ukrainian people have the right to determine their own future free from outside interference.

Commends the Ukrainian government for its restraint and avoidance of military provocations.

Calls on the Ukrainian government to continue to protect the rights of minority populations within Ukraine.

Calls for the deployment of independent monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Crimea and other areas of Ukraine.

Calls upon the President and the leaders of the other democratic states to not attend the G8 summit in Sochi, Russia, and to consider expelling Russia from the group.

Calls on the Administration to work with our European allies and other countries to impose visa, financial, trade, and other sanctions on senior Russian officials and on appropriate Russian entities.

States that the United States should participate with its European allies and other countries to provide the Ukrainian government with financial, economic, and technical assistance.

Calls on the United States, its European allies, and other countries and international organizations to provide assistance to ensure that new elections scheduled for May 2014 are free and in full accordance with international standards.

Supports Ukrainian efforts to achieve energy independence.

Affirms the right of all countries in the region to exercise their sovereign rights within their internationally recognized borders free from outside intervention and to conduct their foreign policy in accordance with their determination of the best interests of their peoples.

http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-resolution/499?q={"search":["hres499"]}

I don't like it.

 

[lib3rtarian]

People need to stop calling Rand, Amash etc. neocons just because they express disapproval over Russia's actions in Ukraine. As long as the US doesn't get dragged into a war and spend blood and money, I am OK with resolutions and sanctions.

 

[MichaelDavis]

Russia invaded another country without reason. If I were you, I would be criticizing the seven nay votes. This is not an interventionist vs non-interventionist issue. It's not like Amash voted to send money or weapons to Ukraine. Good job, Justin.

 

[jclay2]

People need to stop calling Rand, Amash etc. neocons just because they express disapproval over Russia's actions in Ukraine. As long as the US doesn't get dragged into a war and spend blood and money, I am OK with resolutions and sanctions.

Sanctions are always the lead up to war. You are an absolute fool if you think economic sanctions are not acts of war. Look at the lovely response we got from the japanese.

 

[erowe1]

People need to stop calling Rand, Amash etc. neocons just because they express disapproval over Russia's actions in Ukraine. As long as the US doesn't get dragged into a war and spend blood and money, I am OK with resolutions and sanctions.

He didn't just express disapproval of Russia's actions.

He also called for the US to give them financial aid among other things.

Why are you ok with sanctions?

 

[erowe1]

Russia invaded another country without reason.

If Ukraine continued to subjugate the people of Crimea with its own government and its own military without their consent, would that be less bad than anything Russia did? You use the word "invaded." But I don't see why it makes a difference if the troops are from the regime in Moscow or the regime based in Kiev.

It's not like Amash voted to send money or weapons to Ukraine.

He did vote for a resolution that called for doing that.

States that the United States should participate with its European allies and other countries to provide the Ukrainian government with financial, economic, and technical assistance.

 

[dannno]

Russia invaded another country without reason.

Or they were simply protecting the Ukranian population against western intervention and the media tricked you into believing there is no western intervention in Ukraine.

 

[Snew]

I really just don't think our government has the credibility to be talking smack to others about violating sovereignty.

Yup

 

[pcosmar]

Russia invaded another country without reason.

NO. They did not.
That is the propaganda angle from the folks that engineered the violent overthrow of the Government of Ukraine.

Russia had bases and assets in Crimea. They have good cause to secure those assets. And they were also invited by the locals WHO WERE RIGHTFULLY CONCERNED WITH THE ANTI-RUSSIAN HOSTILES THAT THAT TAKEN OVER UKRAINE.
The people of Crimea will vote on the matter,, but no shots have been fired.. No Hostilities. Russia is providing security for their own assets and against the threat of the Fascists that have taken over.

Sorry,, but my observation is that Russia is doing the right thing here.

I believe that this was targeted at Russia in retaliation for it's diplomacy in preventing escalation in Syria. And for negotiating a deal with Iran.

 

[compromise]

Justin Amash has now consistently shown he's no non-interventionist when it comes to foreign policy. Is it because he has an establishment primary challenge? Is he selling out his principles to cozy up to the establishment? Or does he genuinely believe what he's voting for?

Either way, it's quite disappointing.

Meanwhile, Thomas Massie has shown that he is the one consistent supporter of non-interventionism, even standing out as the lone opponent of a recent bill that called for "strengthening the U.S. - Israel alliance."

7 nay votes, Amash not one of them.

NAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 117
(Republicans in roman; Democrats in italic; Independents underlined)

H RES 499 2/3 YEA-AND-NAY 11-Mar-2014 7:11 PM
QUESTION: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended
BILL TITLE: Condemning the violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity by military forces of the Russian Federation

YEAS NAYS PRES NV
REPUBLICAN 218 5 1 7
DEMOCRATIC 184 2 13
INDEPENDENT
TOTALS 402 7 1 20

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2014/roll117.xml

The 7 nay votes:

Jimmy Duncan (R) TN (member of Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity)
Alcee Hastings (D) FL
Walter Jones (R) NC (member of Ron Paul Institute)
Thomas Massie (R) KY (next Ron Paul?)
Gwen Moore (D) WY
Steve Stockman (R) TX
Ted Yoho (R) FL

How exactly does a statement constitute as intervention?

 

[WM_in_MO]

The United States should not insert itself into the conflict in Venezuela, but I'm comfortable with this nonbinding resolution expressing disapproval of the use of violence and intimidation.

OP is making demons where there are none.

 

[TaftFan]

Once again, if people are getting disappointed over issues like this, I believe there is a strong isolationist segment in this movement. And yes, I know it is different from non-interventionism (and also protectionism).

 

[dannno]

Once again, if people are getting disappointed over issues like this, I believe there is a strong isolationist segment in this movement. And yes, I know it is different from non-interventionism (and also protectionism).

Have you read the content of this thread at all? Please read pcosmar's post... Many of us realize that the Ukranian government are a bunch of extremists who were funded and installed by western governments and interests and that Russia is simply coming in to protect the people of Ukraine and the infrastructure that belongs to them. Our media is distorting what is really happening to make Russia look like the enemy. Why should Russia be condemned at all? Why on earth should they be sanctioned as the Act calls for?

The people who see what kind of influence we are having in Ukraine as it is and actually understand what this conflict is about rather than regurgitating mainstream propaganda are the ones who are truly non-interventionist.

 

[Natural Citizen]

Have you read the content of this thread at all? Please read pcosmar's post... Many of us realize that the Ukranian government are a bunch of extremists who were funded and installed by western governments and interests and that Russia is simply coming in to protect the people of Ukraine and the infrastructure that belongs to them. Our media is distorting what is really happening to make Russia look like the enemy. Why should Russia be condemned at all? Why on earth should they be sanctioned as the Act calls for?

The people who see what kind of influence we are having in Ukraine as it is are the ones who are truly non-interventionist.

I'm really kind of surprised that so many here are just going with the narrative that is being run by some of these political ones and corporate media. Of course, as I had mentioned when this thing first broke out, we'll get to see who is who as far as the so called liberty movement goes.

What really baffled me was that when the reality of the situation was brought up that it was moved to hot topics. I found this to be disturbing in a few ways and conforming to the malfeasance that we are seeing from media and those representatives who seem to be playing along. But whatever.

 

[TaftFan]

Have you read the content of this thread at all? Please read pcosmar's post... Many of us realize that the Ukranian government are a bunch of extremists who were funded and installed by western governments and interests and that Russia is simply coming in to protect the people of Ukraine and the infrastructure that belongs to them. Our media is distorting what is really happening to make Russia look like the enemy. Why should Russia be condemned at all? Why on earth should they be sanctioned as the Act calls for?

The people who see what kind of influence we are having in Ukraine as it is and actually understand what this conflict is about rather than regurgitating mainstream propaganda are the ones who are truly non-interventionist.

I recognize that Ukraine is in the middle of a tug of war between EU and Russian interests. And for that reason, I want each region to vote on whether to be Ukrainian (which would fall under the EU/US sphere of influence), Russia, or whether to become independent.

If the U.S. claimed we were entering a country to protect it's people and interests, RPF would be in uproar.

I support Russia defending it's interests. I'm not sure it handled it in the correct manner.

 

[TaftFan]

I'm really kind of surprised that so many here are just going with the narrative that is being run by some of these political ones and corporate media. Of course, as I had mentioned when this thing first broke out, we'll get to see who is who as far as the so called liberty movement goes.

What really baffled me was that when the reality of the situation was brought up that it was moved to hot topics. I found this to be disturbing in a few ways and conforming to the malfeasance that we are seeing from media and those representatives who seem to be playing along. But whatever.

I am not going along with any "narrative." I have thought out this situation on my own.