In a continuation of an ongoing feud, Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin attempted to provoke a physical altercation with a witness in a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee hearing.
Teamsters union president and CEO Sean O'Brien was testifying in the Standing Up Against Corporate Greed: How Unions are Improving the Lives of Working Families hearing on Capitol Hill on November 14, 2023.
You can see the confrontation here:
During the hearing, Mullin read a June tweet posted by O'Brien, then stated:
"You want to run your mouth? We can be two consenting adults, we can finish it here."
O'Brien responded:
"OK, that’s fine, perfect. I’d love to do it right now."
The GOP Senator replied:
"Then stand your butt up then."
O'Brien shot back:
"You stand your butt up."
At this point Mullin stood and appeared to be headed for O'Brien.
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Committee Chair Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders intervened, however, shouting:
"No, no, sit down! Sit down!"
Senator Sanders reminded Mullin:
"You’re a United States Senator! This is a hearing."
"And God knows the American people have enough contempt for Congress, let’s not make it worse."
People were unimpressed with Mullin's latest display of bravado, but felt Senator Sanders handled it well.
The pair previously clashed in a Senate hearing in March of this year, during which Mullin told O'Brien:
"Shut your mouth."
The barbs flew again on Twitter—now X—in June.
O'Brien posted a photo of Mullin revealing the GOP Senator stood on a box to appear taller during a debate.
Mullin is a former MMA fighter who retired 15 years ago.
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