A fight nearly broke out during a Senate hearing on Tuesday when Republican Sen.Markwayne Mullinseemingly challenged Teamsters PresidentSean O’Briento a fight, forcing Vermont Sen.Bernie Sandersto intervene.The incident happened around the same time that Republican Reps.Kevin McCarthyandTim Burchettreportedly got into aphysical altercationinside the U.S. Capitol.Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty, Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via GettyDuring the Senate labor committee’s Tuesday hearing, 46-year-old Mullin of Oklahoma was questioning O’Brien — a union leader with whom he’s argued before — revisiting a June tweet in which O’Brien had written to the Republican, “Quit the tough guy act in these Senate hearings. You know where to find me. Any place, any time, cowboy.“Responding to the post five months later, Mullin said he was ready to settle things right there, right then.“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. “You want to do it now?““I’d love to do it right now,” O’Brien, 51, responded.Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin (left) challenged Teamsters President Sean O’Brien (right) to fight during a Nov. 14, 2023, Senate hearing.Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty, M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg via Getty"Well stand your butt up, then,” Mullin said.“You stand your butt up,” O’Brien countered.Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 26, 2023.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty ImagesAt that point, Mullin stood up and nearly took his wedding ring off before Sen. Sanders — who chairs the labor committee — interjected, shouting, “No, no, sit down! Sit down! You’re a United States senator!”“This is a hearing,” added Sanders, 82. “And God knows the American people have enough contempt for Congress, let’s not make it worse.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.Mullin — a former plumbing company owner who hasdabbled in cage fighting— has courted controversy since his 2022 election to the Senate, including hisdenial of the 2020 presidential election results.
A fight nearly broke out during a Senate hearing on Tuesday when Republican Sen.Markwayne Mullinseemingly challenged Teamsters PresidentSean O’Briento a fight, forcing Vermont Sen.Bernie Sandersto intervene.
The incident happened around the same time that Republican Reps.Kevin McCarthyandTim Burchettreportedly got into aphysical altercationinside the U.S. Capitol.
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty, Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty
During the Senate labor committee’s Tuesday hearing, 46-year-old Mullin of Oklahoma was questioning O’Brien — a union leader with whom he’s argued before — revisiting a June tweet in which O’Brien had written to the Republican, “Quit the tough guy act in these Senate hearings. You know where to find me. Any place, any time, cowboy.”
Responding to the post five months later, Mullin said he was ready to settle things right there, right then.
“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. “You want to do it now?”
“I’d love to do it right now,” O’Brien, 51, responded.
Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin (left) challenged Teamsters President Sean O’Brien (right) to fight during a Nov. 14, 2023, Senate hearing.Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty, M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg via Getty
Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty, M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg via Getty
“Well stand your butt up, then,” Mullin said.
“You stand your butt up,” O’Brien countered.
Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on April 26, 2023.Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
At that point, Mullin stood up and nearly took his wedding ring off before Sen. Sanders — who chairs the labor committee — interjected, shouting, “No, no, sit down! Sit down! You’re a United States senator!”
“This is a hearing,” added Sanders, 82. “And God knows the American people have enough contempt for Congress, let’s not make it worse.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer.
Mullin — a former plumbing company owner who hasdabbled in cage fighting— has courted controversy since his 2022 election to the Senate, including hisdenial of the 2020 presidential election results.
source: people.com
