Justin Amash

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- As the political heat intensifies around the Flint water contamination crisis, Rep. Justin Amash stands by himself among the Michigan congressional delegation by opposing federal intervention and assistance.

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.

Obama denied the request, but approved an emergency declaration that sets the stage for financial help and coordination from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The president's administration determined the request did not meet the standards of being a major disaster because it was not a natural catastrophe.

Kildee's letter to Obama was signed by the other 14 members of the state's Washington contingent, marking a bipartisan effort to respond to the lead pollution in the municipal water supply.

"Lead exposure can have lifelong impacts on neurological and behavioral development. To combat this exposure, the state's request includes federal funding for water infrastructure improvements, support for health care and nutritional assistance," Kildee wrote. "It is important that the requested assistance be dispatched immediately to Flint in order to respond to this crisis by providing safe drinking water and protecting the health of city residents.

"Your swift response is critical to address this ongoing public emergency and its long-term impacts on the people of Flint, especially its children."

Despite Snyder's request, the governor has drawn harsh criticism and scorn for the slow response by his administration to the calamity.

State tests first showed elevated lead levels in 2014 and health officials are checking into a possible relationship to 87 cases of Legionnaire's disease, 10 of which were fatal.

Bill Huizenga, West Michigan's Second District congressman, supported the bid for aid.

"Time is of the essence," said Huizenga, R-Zeeland Township. "I am glad to see President Obama respond so quickly to Governor Snyder's request for assistance. Our first priority must be the health and safety of the people of Flint."