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Three dentists in Congress voted to overturn election results

ADA faces some tough decisions

by KEVIN KUO DDS, MMSc | January 10, 2021

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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.

A group of House and Senate Republicans objected to Arizona's electoral vote count during a joint session of Congress Wednesday, setting off an extraordinary...

Two other dentists and Congressmen voted against the objection, Mike Simpson (Idaho) and Drew Ferguson (Georgia).

More about the dentists

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.

Fun video looking into the potential voting trends of dentists. This is not an actual research presentation. Just some food for thought. The real answer is h...

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.