Jennifer Gross (politician): Difference between revisions
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=== Opposition to COVID-19 vaccination mandates === |
=== Opposition to COVID-19 vaccination mandates === |
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She has stated she is |
She has stated she is personally pro-vaccination, but wants choice.<ref name="Ref#3">{{cite web|title=State Representative Jennifer Gross Discusses The Anti-Discrimination Vaccination Bill She Has Introduced, June 21, 2021|url=https://www.whbc.com/state-representative-jennifer-gross-discusses-the-anti-discrimination-vaccination-bill-she-has-introduced/|publisher=[[WHBC]]|accessdate=June 29, 2021}}</ref> When introducing a vaccine-related bill in May 2021, Gross attracted controversy when she described businesses requiring vaccination as "eerily similar" the [[Holocaust]] and Nazis forcing Jews to wear identifying badges. She stated “those that were lost [in the Holocaust] are a grave, grave reminder that we should not be forcing anyone to take experimentation, as this vaccine is an experimental use authorized vaccine." The [[Anti-Defamation League]]'s [[Cleveland]] office said they were "outraged" by Gross' comments, and that they thought such comments could "normalize dangerous rhetoric while diluting the true horrors of [[Nazi Germany]] and insulting the memories of the millions brutalized and murdered by Nazis. Comparing efforts to save the lives of Ohioans during this pandemic to Nazis is unconscionable." When asked in a separate interview with the ''[[Ohio Capital Journal]]'' about how the vaccine requirements and the Holocaust were similar, she declined to comment.<ref name="Ref#5"/> |
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Rep. Gross is the primary sponsor of |
Rep. Gross is the primary sponsor of a "vaccine protection" bill, H.B. 248.<ref>{{cite web|website=OhioHouse.gov |title= Gross Introduces Vaccine Protection Bill |date= 2021-06-09 |access-date= 2021-04-06 | url= https://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/jennifer-gross/news/gross-introduces-vaccine-protection-bill-105966}}</ref> In May 2021, Gross presented House Bill 248, the “Enact Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act” to the House Health Committee. Backed by anti-vaccination interest groups, it "prohibits people, public officials, governments, day-care centers, nursing homes, health care providers, insurers, and others from mandating vaccination or requesting people to do so. It would apply to all vaccines, not just COVID-19."<ref name="Ref#5">{{cite web|title=House GOP takes aim at vaccine mandates from schools, employers, hospitals, May 19, 2021|url=https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/news/state/house-gop-takes-aim-at-vaccine-mandates-from-schools-employers-hospitals/article_17b3da4a-b89c-11eb-9c20-d336a8b43a2a.html|publisher=[[Cleveland Jewish News]]|accessdate=June 29, 2021}}</ref> House Bill 248 was co-sponsored by 16 House Republicans, with Gross saying the bill was "not a scientific bill. This is a freedom bill."<ref name="Ref#10"/> |
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As part of the debate on that bill and at the insistence of Gross, the House committee heard testimony from Sherri Tenpenn, an Ohio doctor who supports the conspiracy that claims vaccines cause autism. She spoke as an invited expert witness to the Ohio House Health Committee |
As part of the debate on that bill and at the insistence of Gross, the House committee heard testimony from Sherri Tenpenn, an Ohio doctor who supports the conspiracy that claims vaccines cause autism. She spoke as an invited expert witness to the Ohio House Health Committee,<ref>{{cite web|website=The Columbus Dispatch |title= 'GOP-invited Ohio doctor Sherri Tenpenny falsely tells Ohio lawmakers COVID-19 shots 'magnetize' people, create 5G 'interfaces'|last= Bischoff |first= Laura |date= 2021-06-09 |access-date= 2021-06-09 | url= https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2021/06/09/doctor-sherri-tenpenny-testimony-ohio-lawmakers-vaccines-magnetized-5-g/7616027002/}}</ref> with Gross stating it was "an honor to have you here."<ref name="Ref#1"/> During her testimony, Tenpenny claimed Covid 19 vaccines 'magnetize' people and create 5G "interfaces,"<ref name="Ref#1">{{cite web|website= TheHill.com |title= Expert witness tells Ohio lawmakers vaccine can 'magnetize' people |last= Choi |first= Joseph |date= 2021-06-09 |access-date= 2021-06-09 | url= https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/557509-expert-witness-tells-ohio-lawmakers-vaccine-can-magnetize-people}}</ref> stating the vaccinated "can put a key on their forehead, it sticks. They can put spoons and forks all over them and they can stick, because now we think there’s a metal piece to that."<ref name="Ref#10">{{cite web|title=CORONAVIRUS‘5G towers,’ other conspiracies flourish at Ohio House hearing on vaccine bill, June 9, 2021|url=https://go.tiffinohio.net/2021/06/5g-towers-other-conspiracies-flourish-at-ohio-house-hearing-on-vaccine-bill/|publisher=TiffinOhio.net|accessdate=June 29, 2021}}</ref> Her claims have been criticized by the The Center for Countering Digital Hate, who identified Tenpenny as "one of a dozen of the most prolific anti-vaccination disinformers,"<ref name="Ref#10"/> The Ohio Osteopathic Association has condemned Tenpenny's false claims about the vaccinations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vaccine Misinformation is Dangerous|url=http://www.ohiodo.org/aws/OOSA/pt/sd/news_article/375516/_PARENT/layout_details/false|access-date=2021-06-12|website=www.ohiodo.org}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The bill met with criticism from the [[Ohio Manufacturers Association]], which argued the low vaccination rate was slowing the state's economy.<ref name="Ref#12">{{cite web|title=Meet Your New Lawmakers|url=https://www.toledoblade.com/local/Coronavirus/2021/06/22/Businesses-decry-bill-tying-their-hands-on-worker-vaccination/stories/20210622154|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]|accessdate=June 29, 2021}}</ref> In response, a coalition of business groups, including the [[Ohio Chamber of Commerce]], the [[Ohio Hospital Association]], the[[ Ohio Children’s Hospital Association]], [[Anthem (company)|Anthem]], [[OhioHealth]], and others, issued a public letter stating that the legislation could put "all children at risk."<ref name="Ref#10"/> Democrats opposed the measure, stating it ignored provisions that already allowed Ohioans to turn down vaccinations, with Representative Beth Liston stating "This is a dangerous bill that will lead to death… If it becomes law, we will see worsening measles outbreaks, meningitis in the dorms, and children once again suffering from polio."<ref name="Ref#11">{{cite web|title=Ohio announces 1st $1 million Vax-a-Million lottery winner, 2021|url=https://qfm96.com/news/061160-ohio-announces-1st-1-million-vax-a-million-lottery-winner/|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=June 29, 2021}}</ref> In June 2021, the Ohio House Health Committee lacked the votes to advance the vaccine “discrimination” bill. Gross spent time with [[List of speakers of the Ohio House of Representatives| Speaker]] [[Robert R. Cupp|Bob Cupp]] discussing the measure, stating she planned to introduce amendments.<ref name="Ref#2">{{cite web|title=Ohio House committee advances bill allowing public corruption cases to be tried in politicians’ home counties: Capitol Letter, June 23, 2021|url=https://www.cleveland.com/open/2021/06/ohio-house-committee-advances-bill-allowing-public-corruption-cases-to-be-tried-in-politicians-home-counties-capitol-letter.html|publisher=[[Cleveland.com]]|accessdate=June 30, 2021}}</ref> |
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To reporters at the time, Gross attracted controversy when she described businesses requiring vaccination as "eerily similar" the Holocaust and Nazis forcing Jews to wear identifying badges. She stated “those that were lost [in the Holocaust] are a grave, grave reminder that we should not be forcing anyone to take experimentation, as this vaccine is an experimental use authorized vaccine."<ref name="Ref#5"/> The Anti-Defamation League's Cleveland office said they were "outraged" by Gross' comments, and that they thought such comments could "normalize dangerous rhetoric while diluting the true horrors of Nazi Germany and insulting the memories of the millions brutalized and murdered by Nazis. Comparing efforts to save the lives of Ohioans during this pandemic to Nazis is unconscionable." When asked about the comment in a separate interview with the ''[[Ohio Capital Journa]]'' about how the vaccine requirements and the Holocaust were similar, she declined.<ref name="Ref#5"/> |
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| ⚫ | Democrats opposed the measure, stating it ignored provisions that already allowed Ohioans to turn down vaccinations, with Representative Beth Liston stating "This is a dangerous bill that will lead to death… If it becomes law, we will see worsening measles outbreaks, meningitis in the dorms, and children once again suffering from polio."<ref name="Ref#11">{{cite web|title=Ohio announces 1st $1 million Vax-a-Million lottery winner, 2021|url=https://qfm96.com/news/061160-ohio-announces-1st-1-million-vax-a-million-lottery-winner/|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=June 29, 2021}}</ref> In June 2021, the Ohio House Health Committee lacked the votes to advance the vaccine “discrimination” bill |
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== Personal life == |
== Personal life == |
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Revision as of 23:32, 1 July 2021
Jennifer Gross | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 52nd district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | George Lang |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Chris |
| Residence | West Chester Township, Ohio[1] |
| Profession | Nurse |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1987–2008[1] |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War |
Jennifer Gross is a Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives representing the 52nd district. She was elected in 2020, defeating Democrat Chuck Horn with 63% of the vote.[2]
Early life and career
She was born in 1965. In her career, she was an Air Force lieutenant colonel and nurse practitioner with IMA, Inc.[3]
She spent 21 years in military service, nine of those years active and 12 in reserve.[4] Gross is a nurse practitioner.[5]
When Ohio shut down for the pandemic in spring of 2020, Gross became unemployed, filing for unemployment. Afterwards, she was hired to perform COVID-19 tests. Afterwards, she was part of an Eli Lilly study on Monoclonal antibodies.[4]
Campaign
Running for the open Ohio 52nd House District, she and her opponent Mark Welch were both pro-life conservatives and supporters of Donald Trump.[3] As a representative, she said she supports the three Christian "B's," or "businesses, babies, and bullets."[4]
Ohio House of Representatives
She also said in January 2021 that she opposes the nuclear bailout in House Bill 6 for having "too much baggage."[4]
In February 2021, she held a political event at Holtman's Donuts at West Chester. Ultimately, when attendees violated state COVID-19 protocols, police were called by the restaurant to end the event. Gross criticized the police response, although she did note she and some of the 20 attendees had been walking in te restaurant without masks, a violation of state protocols, and that they had not warned the venue ahead of time about the event.[6]
Opposition to COVID-19 vaccination mandates
She has stated she is personally pro-vaccination, but wants choice.[7] When introducing a vaccine-related bill in May 2021, Gross attracted controversy when she described businesses requiring vaccination as "eerily similar" the Holocaust and Nazis forcing Jews to wear identifying badges. She stated “those that were lost [in the Holocaust] are a grave, grave reminder that we should not be forcing anyone to take experimentation, as this vaccine is an experimental use authorized vaccine." The Anti-Defamation League's Cleveland office said they were "outraged" by Gross' comments, and that they thought such comments could "normalize dangerous rhetoric while diluting the true horrors of Nazi Germany and insulting the memories of the millions brutalized and murdered by Nazis. Comparing efforts to save the lives of Ohioans during this pandemic to Nazis is unconscionable." When asked in a separate interview with the Ohio Capital Journal about how the vaccine requirements and the Holocaust were similar, she declined to comment.[8]
Rep. Gross is the primary sponsor of a "vaccine protection" bill, H.B. 248.[9] In May 2021, Gross presented House Bill 248, the “Enact Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act” to the House Health Committee. Backed by anti-vaccination interest groups, it "prohibits people, public officials, governments, day-care centers, nursing homes, health care providers, insurers, and others from mandating vaccination or requesting people to do so. It would apply to all vaccines, not just COVID-19."[8] House Bill 248 was co-sponsored by 16 House Republicans, with Gross saying the bill was "not a scientific bill. This is a freedom bill."[10]
As part of the debate on that bill and at the insistence of Gross, the House committee heard testimony from Sherri Tenpenn, an Ohio doctor who supports the conspiracy that claims vaccines cause autism. She spoke as an invited expert witness to the Ohio House Health Committee,[11] with Gross stating it was "an honor to have you here."[12] During her testimony, Tenpenny claimed Covid 19 vaccines 'magnetize' people and create 5G "interfaces,"[12] stating the vaccinated "can put a key on their forehead, it sticks. They can put spoons and forks all over them and they can stick, because now we think there’s a metal piece to that."[10] Her claims have been criticized by the The Center for Countering Digital Hate, who identified Tenpenny as "one of a dozen of the most prolific anti-vaccination disinformers,"[10] The Ohio Osteopathic Association has condemned Tenpenny's false claims about the vaccinations.[13]
The bill met with criticism from the Ohio Manufacturers Association, which argued the low vaccination rate was slowing the state's economy.[14] In response, a coalition of business groups, including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Hospital Association, theOhio Children’s Hospital Association, Anthem, OhioHealth, and others, issued a public letter stating that the legislation could put "all children at risk."[10] Democrats opposed the measure, stating it ignored provisions that already allowed Ohioans to turn down vaccinations, with Representative Beth Liston stating "This is a dangerous bill that will lead to death… If it becomes law, we will see worsening measles outbreaks, meningitis in the dorms, and children once again suffering from polio."[5] In June 2021, the Ohio House Health Committee lacked the votes to advance the vaccine “discrimination” bill. Gross spent time with Speaker Bob Cupp discussing the measure, stating she planned to introduce amendments.[15]
Personal life
She lives in West Chester.[3] She has a husband and two sons.[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Representative Jennifer Gross". Ohio House of Representatives. Retrieved Jan 19, 2021.
- ^ "Ohio House of Representatives District 52". Ballotpedia. Retrieved Jan 19, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Election 2020: Retired Air Force officer faces West Chester trustee for Ohio House nomination, April 24, 2020". Journal News. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Meet your new lawmakers: A congresswoman, superintendent, veteran and newcomer head to Columbus". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ a b "Ohio announces 1st $1 million Vax-a-Million lottery winner, 2021". Associated Press. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "Police called after State Rep. held political event violating COVID-19 rules at Holtman's Donuts, February 20, 20211". WCPO. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "State Representative Jennifer Gross Discusses The Anti-Discrimination Vaccination Bill She Has Introduced, June 21, 2021". WHBC. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ a b "House GOP takes aim at vaccine mandates from schools, employers, hospitals, May 19, 2021". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "Gross Introduces Vaccine Protection Bill". OhioHouse.gov. 2021-06-09. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
- ^ a b c d "CORONAVIRUS'5G towers,' other conspiracies flourish at Ohio House hearing on vaccine bill, June 9, 2021". TiffinOhio.net. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ Bischoff, Laura (2021-06-09). "'GOP-invited Ohio doctor Sherri Tenpenny falsely tells Ohio lawmakers COVID-19 shots 'magnetize' people, create 5G 'interfaces'". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
- ^ a b Choi, Joseph (2021-06-09). "Expert witness tells Ohio lawmakers vaccine can 'magnetize' people". TheHill.com. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
- ^ "Vaccine Misinformation is Dangerous". www.ohiodo.org. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ "Meet Your New Lawmakers". Toledo Blade. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ "Ohio House committee advances bill allowing public corruption cases to be tried in politicians' home counties: Capitol Letter, June 23, 2021". Cleveland.com. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
