Mark E. Green
Mark Edward Green (born November 8, 1964) is an American politician, physician, and retired U.S. Army Major who currently represents Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. A Republican, Green previously served in the Tennessee State Senate, representing the 22nd district.
Mark Green | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 7th district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2019 | |
Preceded by | Marsha Blackburn |
Member of the Tennessee Senate from the 22nd district | |
In office January 8, 2013 – November 1, 2018 | |
Preceded by | Tim Barnes |
Succeeded by | Rosalind Kurita |
Personal details | |
Born | Mark Edward Green November 8, 1964 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Camilla Guenther (m. 1989) |
Children | 2 |
Education | United States Military Academy (BS) University of Southern California (MA) Wright State University (MD) |
Website | House website |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1986–2006 |
Rank | Major |
Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–present) Iraq War • Operation Red Dawn |
Awards | Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal Air Medal with valor (2) Combat Medical Badge Air Assault Badge Flight Surgeon Badge Ranger Tab Senior Parachutist Badge |
Following his graduation from West Point, Green was initially an infantry officer. He graduated from Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University and became a flight surgeon, serving tours of duty in the Afghanistan War and Iraq War. He authored a book about his experience in Operation Red Dawn, which saw the capture of Saddam Hussein. Following his military retirement in 2006, Green became the CEO of a hospital emergency department staffing company.
Green first entered politics in 2012 by defeating Democratic incumbent Tim Barnes for a seat in the Tennessee State Senate. In 2017, Green was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the United States Secretary of the Army, but withdrew his nomination when comments he had previously made came to light. When Representative Marsha Blackburn announced her candidacy for the United States Senate in 2018, Green announced his campaign to succeed her, which he won in November 2018.
Military career
Green graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1986, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in quantitative business management.[1][2] From 1987 through 1990, Green served as an infantry officer in the United States Army. His first duty assignment following graduation from the US Army Ranger School was with the 194th Armored Brigade (United States) at Fort Knox. There he served as a rifle platoon leader, scout platoon leader, and battalion adjutant for an infantry battalion. Following the Infantry Officer's Advance Course, then Captain Green served with the 82nd Airborne Division[3] as an airborne battalion supply officer and a rifle company commander.
Following a traumatic event in which his father's life was saved by a team of surgeons and critical care doctors, Green requested the US Army send him to medical school. He attended Boonshoft School of Medicine at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, graduating with an MD degree in 1999.[4] He did his residency in emergency medicine at Fort Hood, Texas. After his residency Dr. Green was selected to serve as the flight surgeon for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.[5]
As a special operations flight surgeon, Green served a tour of duty in the Afghanistan War and two tours of duty in the Iraq War. He was the special operations flight surgeon during Operation Red Dawn, the military operation that captured Saddam Hussein. Green interrogated Hussein for six hours.[1][6] Following his military service, he authored a book, titled A Night With Saddam, detailing the capture of Hussein, his interview with the dictator and his service with the Army's elite aviation unit.[3][7] Green was honorably discharged from the Army in 2006.[6][8]
For his service, Green was awarded the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with the V Device for valor under heavy enemy fire while rescuing British Special Operations forces wounded near Fallujah, and the Combat Medical Badge among numerous other awards. He also earned the Air Assault Badge and the Flight Surgeon Badge[1][3] during his military service.
Civilian career
Green founded and served as chief executive officer of Align MD, a hospital emergency department management staffing company. Align MD provides staffing to emergency departments and hospitalist services in 50 hospitals across 10 states.[9] Green also founded Two Rivers Medical Foundation, which provides healthcare to underserved populations throughout the world via medical mission trips, and operates a free medical clinic in his hometown, and in Memphis, Tennessee.[9]
Green served on the boards of several for profit companies including, American Physician Partners, Align MD, and Rural Physician Partners. Green is also a board member of the Middle Tennessee Boy Scouts of America. He has served on the advisory board of the political organization Latinos for Tennessee since 2015.
In 2015, Green was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humanities by Williamson College in Franklin, Tennessee.[9][10]
Political career
Tennessee State Senate
He was first elected to the Tennessee Senate in 2012, defeating Democratic incumbent Tim Barnes.[3][11][12] He was rumored to be considering a challenge to Lamar Alexander in the 2014 U.S. Senate election,[13] but declined to do so.[14]
Green is most noteworthy for his legislation ending the Hall Income Tax in Tennessee, only the second time in US history a state has repealed an income tax.[15] He also co-sponsored a bill which eliminated the statute of limitations on rape cases where the DNA profile of the suspect is known.[16] Sen. Green has received awards recognizing his many laws protecting veterans and small businesses.[17][18] He has led the charge in Tennessee for automated technology in the auto manufacturing world speaking at national conferences on the topic.[19]
In 2015 Green proposed a pilot program to test an innovative solution to healthcare. The idea provides a reduced amount of healthcare dollars on a swipe card for Medicaid patients giving them choice and control. The incentive is that any dollars not spent go to the patient as an addition to their earned income check. SJR 88 passed and was signed by the governor. Currently, the request for a waiver to test the program is at CMS for approval.[20]
Green was opposed for re-election in the 2016 Republican primary but he won 84% to 16% over Lori Smith of Clarksville, Tennessee.[21] In the general election, Senator Green won re-election defeating Democrat David Cutting 67% to 33%.
Nomination as U.S. Army Secretary
In April 2017, Green was nominated by President Donald Trump to be United States Secretary of the Army.[22] Green was Trump's second nominee for this position after initial nominee Vincent Viola withdrew from consideration.[23]
Green drew some opposition based on public comments directed at transgender people.[24] A statement that Green made which brought wide attention to him in the media was made before a Tea Party group in September 2016 at a gathering in Chattanooga, Tennessee. At that event Green said, "If you polled the psychiatrists, they're going to tell you that transgender is a disease."[25] As well as his support for a state law which defined access to public restrooms for transgender individuals matching their legal sex, rather than gender identity.
In an internet radio talk show with CJ Porter, Green also stated that his duty as a state senator is to "crush evil."[25] Green said this in the context of his support for a bill to prohibit transgender individuals from entering the restrooms for the gender they identified with.[26][25]
Green also stated that if school districts "want to have a bathroom that's separate for all of the, you know, guys or gals with question marks" but were concerned the "AFL-CIO is going to sue you, well I got your back." It is assumed Green meant the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) not the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL–CIO).[27] Green has also said that he would "not tolerate" students learning about Muslim beliefs and practices.[28] Green added later that he doesn't "think we should teach the Lord’s Prayer" in schools either. In a call for separation of church and state, he said: "Leave that to the churches, the synagogues, and the mosques."[29]
Green withdrew his nomination on May 5, 2017.[30]
2018 Tennessee gubernatorial election
On January 4, 2017, Green officially filed paperwork to run for Governor as a Republican candidate for the 2018 gubernatorial election.[31] However, in late 2017 when 7th District congresswoman Marsha Blackburn announced she was running for the United States Senate, Green announced he was running for the open congressional seat.[32] His state senate district includes almost all of the northeastern portion of the congressional district.
U.S. House of Representatives
2018
Green became the Republican nominee for the 2018 U.S. House of Representatives election in Tennessee's 7th congressional district after running unopposed for the Republican nomination.[33] His State Senate district included much of the northern portion of the congressional district. Green won the general election in November and took office in January 2019.
Tenure
After incumbent U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander announced he would not seek reelection in 2020, Green was considered a likely candidate for the seat. However, Green announced on July 11, 2019, that he would not be a candidate.[34]
Committee assignments
Caucus memberships
- House Freedom Caucus [36]
- Republican Study Committee
- Special Operations Forces Caucus
- GOP Doctor's Caucus
- Pro-Life Caucus
- Prayer Caucus
- Military Family Caucus
- Military Veterans Caucus
- Congressional Army Caucus
- House Republican Israel Caucus
- Songwriters Caucus
- Values Action Team
- Congressional Recording Arts and Sciences Caucus
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark Green | 79,393 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 79,393 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark Green | 170,071 | 66.9 | |
Democratic | Justin Kanew | 81,661 | 32.1 | |
Independent | Leonard Ladner | 1,582 | 0.6 | |
Independent | Brent Legendre | 1,070 | 0.4 | |
Total votes | 254,384 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark Green (incumbent) | 73,540 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 73,540 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark Green (incumbent) | 245,188 | 69.9 | |
Democratic | Kiran Sreepada | 95,839 | 27.3 | |
Independent | Ronald Brown | 7,603 | 2.2 | |
Independent | Scott Vieira | 2,005 | 0.6 | |
Total votes | 350,635 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold | ||||
Political positions
Abortion
Green opposes abortion. In a 2019 op-ed, Green claimed that "modern science has revealed that mother and baby are, in fact, two separate persons -- long before the baby is born" and argued that "a child becomes a child at conception."[39]
Climate change
Green rejects the scientific consensus that human activity plays a key role in climate change.[40]
Creationism
Green rejects the theory of evolution which is consensus within biology; in a 2015 lecture he used creationist reasoning such as "irreducible complexity".[41]
Donald Trump
In December 2019, Green voted against the articles of impeachment regarding the Impeachment of Donald Trump.[42]
In December 2020, Green was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives who signed an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden prevailed[43] over incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of the election held by another state.[44][45][46]
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement that called signing the amicus brief an act of "election subversion." Additionally, Pelosi reprimanded Green and the other House members who supported the lawsuit: "The 126 Republican Members that signed onto this lawsuit brought dishonor to the House. Instead of upholding their oath to support and defend the Constitution, they chose to subvert the Constitution and undermine public trust in our sacred democratic institutions."[47][48] New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell, citing section three of the 14th Amendment, called for Pelosi to not seat Green and the other Republicans who signed the brief supporting the suit. Pascrell argued that "the text of the 14th Amendment expressly forbids Members of Congress from engaging in rebellion against the United States. Trying to overturn a democratic election and install a dictator seems like a pretty clear example of that."[49]
Vaccines
In 2018, as a congressman-elect, Green stated at a constituent meeting that "there is some concern that the rise in autism is the result of the preservatives that are in our vaccines," a claim that has been repeatedly debunked by scientific studies and rejected by medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics.[50]
Personal life
Green and his wife, Camie, live near Ashland City, in Montgomery County. He has two children.[5][51]
References
- "Senator Green to speak to Wilson County Conservative Republicans". Thechronicleofmtjuliet.com. July 23, 2013. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- "PN1038 – Army". U.S. Congress. May 2, 1986. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
- Bonecutter, Hank (November 22, 2011). "Mark Green to run for State Senate » Clarksville, TN Online". Clarksvilleonline.com. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- "Mark Green's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
- "Tennessee State Senator Mark Green Launches new website". Clarksvilleonline.com. February 2, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- Everett, Laurie (July 26, 2013). "State senator talks about his role in Saddam Hussein's capture". Lebanon Democrat. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- Jordan, Elise (December 13, 2009). "A Sleepover With Saddam". Daily Beast.
- "Congressman Mark Green". Combat Veterans for Congress.
- "Dr. Mark Green for Tennessee". Retrieved April 26, 2017.
- "Keynote Speaker Also Proud Military Veteran". Williamson College. Archived from the original on July 31, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- Hicks, Mark (November 7, 2012). "Republican Mark Green victorious over incumbent Sen. Barnes". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- Bonecutter, Hank (December 21, 2012). "Tennessee State Senator Elect Mark Green Introduces First Bill » Clarksville, TN Online". Clarksvilleonline.com. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- Garrison, Joey (July 8, 2013). "Political Notebook: Lawmaker sparks buzz he may challenge Alexander". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- Humphrey, Tom (July 14, 2013). "Political notebook: Ramsey, Campfield reject entreaties to oppose Sen. Alexander". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
- Harvath, Joe (May 15, 2016). "Hall Tax repeal will benefit Tennessee's economy". The Tennessean. Retrieved November 10, 2010.
- "Under New Legislation, Tennessee Prosecutors Can Stop Statute of Limitations When Suspect's DNA Profile is Known". Tennessee Senate Republicans, via Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
- Erwin (November 2016). "Senator Mark Green receives NFIB award". Clarksville Now. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- "A First for Tennessee Veterans Courts". Tennessee Senate Republicans. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- "Senator Mark Green speaks in national forum on autonomous cars, job creation". The Leaf-Chroncle. May 20, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
- Rech, Marcus (April 6, 2016). "Tennessee Senate Unanimously Approves Medicaid opt-out Program". The Heartland Institute. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- Ingersoll, Stephanie (August 4, 2016). "Green wins GOP nomination for Senate race". The Leaf-Chronicle. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- Collins, Michael (April 7, 2017). "President Trump nominates Tennessee state Sen. Mark Green for Army secretary". USA Today. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- Palmeri, Tara; O'Brien, Connor (March 17, 2017). "Sources: Trump to nominate former flight surgeon Mark Green as Army secretary". Politico. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- "LGBT advocates 'deeply concerned' with Mark Green nomination as Army secretary". The Tennessean. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- Michael Collins (May 2, 2017). "Sen. John McCain: Army Secretary Nominee's past comments 'very concerning'". USA Today. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- Terkel, Amanda (April 20, 2017). "Trump Pick For Army Secretary Says He Opposes Transgender Equality Because He Must 'Crush Evil'". Huffington Post. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
- "Trump derelict in filling key military defense roles". MSNBC. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
- Michael Collins (April 16, 2017). "Muslims, LGBT Advocates prepare to fight Mark Green's nomination as Army Secretary". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
- https://franklinhomepage.com/sen-mark-green-discusses-sec-of-army-nomination-opioid-crisis-illegal-immigration-and-more/
- "NBC Twitter". NBC News. May 5, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- "Sen. Mark Green launches bid for governor, hires Trump's state director". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
- "Blackburn for Senate, Green for House". Nashville Post. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- Almukhtar, Sarah. "Tennessee Primary Election Results". The New York Times. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
- Allison, Natalie; Ebert, Joel (July 11, 2019). "US Rep. Mark Green says he won't run for US Senate in 2020". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- Schultz, Marisa (May 7, 2020). "Steve Scalise will be top Republican on new coronavirus committee". Fox News. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- McPherson, Lindsey (October 31, 2018). "As House Republicans Brace for Losses, Freedom Caucus Prepares for Growth". rollcall.com. Retrieved November 17, 2018.
Potential recruits receiving Freedom Fund money this cycle include Chip Roy in Texas’ 21st District, Yvette Herrell in New Mexico’s 2nd District, Mark Harris in North Carolina’s 9th District, Greg Steube in Florida’s 17th District, Denver Riggleman in Virginia’s 5th District, Mark Green in Tennessee’s 7th District, Russ Fulcher in Idaho’s 1st District, Ron Wright in Texas’ 6th District and Ben Cline in Virginia’s 6th District.
- "State of Tennessee - August 6, 2020 Republican Primary" (PDF). Tennessee Secretary of State.
- https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-tennessee-house-district-7.html
- Mark Green, Scientific findings have the potential to change the way abortion is viewed, The Hill (January 17, 2019).
- https://brentwoodhomepage.com/mark-green-talks-climate-change-medical-marijuana-and-student-loan-debt-during-town-hall-meeting/
- "Trump Army secretary pick gave a lecture arguing against the theory of evolution". CNN. May 1, 2017.
- Ebert, Joel (December 18, 2019). "Tennessee's House members split along party lines on impeaching President Donald Trump". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
- Smith, David (December 12, 2020). "Supreme court rejects Trump-backed Texas lawsuit aiming to overturn election results". The Guardian. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- "Pelosi Statement on Supreme Court Rejecting GOP Election Sabotage Lawsuit" (Press release). Speaker Nancy Pelosi. December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- Williams, Jordan (December 11, 2020). "Democrat asks Pelosi to refuse to seat lawmakers supporting Trump's election challenges". TheHill. Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- Allison, Natalie. "Tennessee U.S. Rep.-elect Mark Green alleges vaccines may cause autism, questions CDC data". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- Green's listing at Tennessee State Senate page
External links
- Congressman Mark E. Green official U.S. House website
- Mark E. Green for Congress
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Appearances on C-SPAN
U.S. House of Representatives | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Marsha Blackburn |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 7th congressional district 2019–present |
Incumbent |
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
Preceded by Lance Gooden |
United States Representatives by seniority 321st |
Succeeded by Michael Guest |