Remember, Mr. Mullin, you're a US senator
Thursday, November 16, 2023
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Posted by: Jen Gilliland
Editorial by Journal Record Staff
Remember, Mr. Mullin, you're a US senator
Oklahoma voters knew they were sending a fighter to the U.S. Senate when they elected Republican Markwayne Mullin in a special 2022 election to replace Jim Inhofe.
They just didn’t know the former U.S. House member and multimillionaire businessman would put up his dukes and challenge a rival, briefly turning a U.S. Capitol committee room into a UFC octagon.
The former mixed martial arts fighter, 46, nearly came to blows with Teamsters President Sean O’Brien on Tuesday during a Senate hearing. They likely would have gone after each other if frail committee chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., had not stopped the embarrassing charade.
After reading a series of belligerent social media posts from O’Brien calling him a “clown” and “fraud” and saying he would fight anytime, anywhere, Mullin invited the Teamsters’ general president to put up or shut up.
“Sir, this is a time, this is a place. You want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults, we can finish it here,” Mullin said from the hearing room dais.
“OK, that’s fine. Perfect,” O’Brien, who was testifying about the importance of labor unions, shot back.
“You want to do it now?” Mullin asked. “Stand your butt up then.”
“You stand your butt up,” O’Brien told Mullin.
The only thing missing was the ringside bell from the Jerry Springer Show. The U.S. Senate had disintegrated into tabloid television.
At that point, an exasperated Sanders, suddenly playing the part of referee, tried to take control.
“Hold it. No, no, no, sit down. Sit down! You’re a United States senator, sit down,” Sanders yelled while banging the gavel to restore order in the room.
Amid the chaos, Mullin challenged the 50-year-old O’Brien to a real cage match with the proceeds going to charity.
“Excuse me, hold it. Sen. Mullin, I have the mic. If you have questions on any economic issues, anything that was said, go for it. We’re not here to talk about physical abuse,” Sanders said.
Mullin and O'Brien have crossed paths before. In March, they clashed over Mullin’s business background and O’Brien’s six-figure salary as union chief.
As amusing as their banter was, it reflected another precipitous drop in political civility.
Of all the things Sanders tried to say, the most crushing was the reminder to Mullin that, “You’re a United States senator.”
Voters like the fighter in Mullin. Remember when he defended himself in 2017 over who pays his salary as a congressman? "I pay for myself. I paid enough taxes before I got here and continue to through my company to pay my own salary. This is a service. No one here pays me to go."
Unfortunately, Mullin was wrong then, and he was wrong now. The halls of Congress are no place for physical threats or outright intimidation. It’s as if the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot taught us nothing.
In a Tuesday night interview, Mullin said he would have been "gutless" if he had not fought back. He claimed to be representing "Oklahoma values."
No one is suggesting Mullin should back down. Yes, fight, but figuratively. Use your words, boys and girls, in debate to settle differences.
The gentleman from Oklahoma was out of order. His constituents, who do indeed pay his salary for being there, deserve a senator who's in his prime in the political ring, not a pugilist looking to throw low blows and haymakers at the state's reputation and expense.
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