DesJarlais Learns New Protocols

Congressman-elect Scott Desjarlais

Newly elected members of Congress are back in their home districts this week, after wrapping up a whirlwind orientation in Washington. Tennessee will have four new faces in the House of Representatives next year, including that of Scott DesJarlias. The first-time politician beat out incumbent Democrat Lincoln Davis and now faces a steep learning curve as the Representative-elect from the 4th district.

The U.S. Capitol is a lot different than the Grand View Medical Center in Jasper, where Scott DesJarlais worked as a doctor for nearly two decades.

For starters, the Congressman-elect has a new set of strict protocols to follow, especially when in the House Chamber.

“Once you go into the chamber for the first time and you look at the procedure, where you walk, where you don’t walk, when to speak, not to speak, and how to address people, that was a little more difficult.”

It will be quite a change for Desjarlais, who is part of a large group of freshmen entering Congress with no elected office experience.

“I have been self-employed for 18 years, and now I am employee for 650 thousand people so it is a big transition for me.”

DesJarlais got started with his transition last week. He sat through countless orientation meetings, participated in tours, lunches, and even a party election. And he learned a lot.

From how to set-up his congressional office and handle a budget to how to evacuate the U.S. Capitol in the event of an emergency.

In one meeting called, “If I Knew Then What I Know Now,” DesJarlais heard from current members of Congress.

“You know a lot of people are just offering experiences from past Congress’ to say well you know, basically just what the title says that you know, you learn from experience and we want to learn from our mistakes and not make them again.”

Desjarlais, is back in the 4th district now, and says he will spend the next few weeks hiring staff for his offices. When he returns to Washington in January, his focus will be on repealing the health care law.

“You got to remember that the health care crisis was something that was created. 75 percent of Americans rated their health care as good or great prior to passage of this bill.”

Aside from health care, DesJarlais says he is interested in a seat on the House Armed Services Committee because his district includes Arnold Air Force Base, and is near Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.