(ProsperNews.net) – A fight in the United States Senate almost broke out after one Republican senator threatened a union boss in the chamber. Senator Bernie Sanders attempted to calm the hostilities during the altercation, and a physical fight did not take place. The senator involved in the controversy, Senator Markwayne Mullin, is facing backlash for his violent disposition in the incident.
During a senate hearing involving the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Mullin interrupted Teamsters President Sean O’Brien and seemingly challenged him to a fight. Mullin’s challenge referred to a tweet from O’Brien, who claimed he could win a fight with the senator anytime. Mullin told O’Brien they could “finish it here,” in reference to the tweet, to which O’Brien agreed.
O’Brien told the senator he’d be willing to fight him during the hearing; Mullin then demanded that O’Brien “stand up.” Mullin then began to climb out of his seat but sat back down after Senator Bernie Sanders ordered him to return to his seat. After the intense argument ended, both O’Brien and Mullin requested permission to respond to one another. Sanders did not grant the requests, and the two continued arguing for several minutes.
The argument between O’Brien and Mullin continued, despite Sanders’ protests over bizarre encounter, but ultimately ended once the committee’s other members began asking questions. The incident isn’t the first time Mullin and O’Brien have argued during a senate hearing, as a prior incident occurred in March. In the original argument, Mullin pointed out the disproportionate salaries between O’Brien and other union members, prompting O’Brien to respond with hostility.
Sanders interrupted the initial argument between O’Brien and Mullin, but the two ignored the senator and continued insulting one another. Despite the arguments between Mullin and O’Brien receiving national media coverage, O’Brien’s office will not provide a statement about the verbal exchange.
Mullin is defending his actions in the hearing, claiming the fight offer stems from his “Oklahoma values” and that his constituents wouldn’t want him to respond in any other way. O’Brien and Mullin’s altercation isn’t the first instance of a fight during a congressional hearing. A similar incident occurred around the same time when former Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy, allegedly elbowed another House Republican who voted to remove McCarthy from office. McCarthy denies any such incident took place.
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