Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., called for greater youth involvement to unify the libertarian movement and the Republican Party on Feb. 26 at an event hosted by AU College Republicans and AU Young Americans for Liberty in the in the Mary Graydon Center.
Amash emphasized that legislators cannot please everybody, including their own party when voting on issues that cross party lines.
"You're never going to find people who agree with you on every single issue," Amash said. "It doesn't mean that they are sellouts just because they disagree with you on one or two issues. It matters that they have a reason, that they have a principled logic to it."
Amash explains every vote he makes on his Facebook page, and he is the only Congressman to do so today, according to Sarah Harvard, president of AU Young Americans for Liberty.
"I think [explaining Congressional votes on social media] is something people feel reluctant to do in Congress, because they are afraid of getting their positions on the record because they believe it will be used against them in a future election," Amash said.
However, Amash said he views being transparent with constituents as a way to establish good will between representatives and those they represent.
Amash also urged today's youth to get involved with the Republican Party.
"Young people, you are the Republican Party. Don't forget that," Amash said. "The people running the show are only there temporarily. One of the critical things going forward is unifying the liberty movement with the Republican Party."
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