Three dentists in Congress voted to overturn election results
ADA faces some tough decisions
by KEVIN KUO DDS, MMSc | January 10, 2021
KEY POINTS
3 dentists in Congress voted to overturn election results following a mob scene at the Capitol.
The 3 dentists include: Jeff Van Drew (N.J.), Brian Babin (Texas), & Paul Gosar (Ariz.).
ADA will need to decide whether or not to continue funding to these dentists.
Background
On Wednesday, January 6th, the United States Capitol was under siege by pro-Trump protesters. In a horrific scene, Trump supporters breached Capitol doors, destroying property upon their violent protest.
In an already grave situation, Congress, including the Vice President, was in session debating election results. Lawmaker and National safety were of particular concern.
Capitol Police and the SWAT team needed to rescue House and Senate members to safety, along with Vice President Pence. Protesters roamed freely on Capitol halls presumably as lawmaker security were prioritized.
Supporters of Trump were enticed by the President following an hourlong rally near the White House prior to the Capitol incident. The President called for his supporters to walk down to the Capitol and “take back our country”.
Dentists’ involvement
After the Capitol was cleared, Congress re-attempted to certify the electoral college and confirm President-elect Jo Biden. Congress eventually rejected Republicans’ attempt to overturn Pennsylvania and Arizona results.
Three dentists and Congressmen voted to overturn the election, along with more than a hundred House members and a few Senators. Those dentists include Jeff Van Drew (N.J.), Brian Babin (Texas), & Paul Gosar (Ariz.).
Dentist Paul Gosar of Arizona led the bid to overturn Arizona’s electoral vote count.
Two other dentists and Congressmen voted against the objection, Mike Simpson (Idaho) and Drew Ferguson (Georgia).
More about the dentists
Paul Gosar: “is an American politician and former dentist who serves as the U.S. Representative for Arizona's 4th congressional district since 2013. A Republican, he was elected in 2010 to represent the neighboring 1st congressional district until redistricting. Gosar's district includes most of rural western Arizona, the entirety of Prescott and a number of Phoenix's suburbs. The Arizona Republic has called Gosar "Arizona's most controversial member of Congress".[2] He has been a strong ally of President Donald Trump.”
Brian Babin: “is an American dentist, politician and member of the Republican Party who has served as the U.S. Representative from Texas's 36th congressional district since January 2015. The district includes much of southeastern Houston, some of its eastern suburbs, as well as Orange and some more exurban areas to the east.”
Jeff Van Drew: “is an American politician and dentist serving as the U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 2nd congressional district since 2019. He is a member of the Republican Party after leaving the Democratic Party in 2020 to oppose their support for the impeachment of President Donald Trump. Prior to being elected to Congress, he was the New Jersey State Senator from the 1st Legislative District from 2008 to 2018, and represented the same district in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2002 to 2008.[3][4]”
ADA’s tough decisions
The American Dental Association (ADA) funded the three Congressmen during the 2020 elections and prior elections.
Most ADA political funding tends to go to dentists and Republican lawmakers.
ADA political funding towards dentists in Congress is a natural means for the professional organization to give dentists a voice in public policy. The American Dental Political Action Committee (ADPAC) serves such a purpose for the ADA.
However, as an evidence-based profession with strict ethics codes, the ADA will have to make tough decisions whether or not to continue support and fund these three U.S. Representatives.
Marriott International Inc., the hotel giant, announced their suspension of donations to Republican senators who voted against electoral college certification.
The ADA will have to decide to follow suit or take another direction in continuing support. Either way, members of the ADA will likely debate the decision.
