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Markwayne Mullin in February 2023
Photograph:
SARAH SILBIGER/REUTERS
Republican U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin has challenged union leader Sean O'Brien to a duel during a hearing. O'Brien agreed, but Bernie Sanders did not. The chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions immediately called Mullin to his senses.
Earlier, during the committee meeting, Mullin had read out a text that O'Brien, president of the Teamster union for transport workers, allegedly sent to him via Twitter. According to the report, O'Brien insulted the senator from Oklahoma as "greedy," a "clown" and a "fraud." Mullin should stop playing the tough guy. He knew where to find O'Brien. According to the senator, the message ended with, "Anytime, anywhere, cowboy."
This is followed by a dialogue that has probably taken place tens of thousands of times in or in front of pubs. Mullin: "This is a time, here's a place. Do you want to open your mouth? We can be two consenting adults, we can end it here." O'Brien replies, "Okay, that's fine, perfect." "Shall we do it now?" asks Mullin. "I'd love to do it now," O'Brien said. Mullin: "Then raise your butt!" O'Brien: "Lift your butt up!" Mullin then jumps out of his seat and prepares to put down a fingering.
Bernie Sanders has finally spoiled the sad climax of the undignified spectacle. The well-known Democratic senator from Vermont instructed Mullin to sit down and admonished, "You are a United States senator." Sanders added, "The American people have God knows enough contempt for Congress. Let's not make it worse."
svs/dpa