Markwayne Mullin: United States Senator Representing Oklahoma

Markwayne Mullin, born on July 26, 1977, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a prominent American politician, businessman, and former professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter. As a member of the Republican Party, Mullin has represented Oklahoma in the United States Senate since 2023, following a decade-long tenure in the House of Representatives. His diverse background, encompassing business ownership, athletic achievement, and political service, has significantly influenced his legislative priorities and public persona.​

Early Life and Education

Raised in Westville, Oklahoma, Mullin is the youngest of seven children born to Jim Martin and Brenda Gayle Morris Mullin. He graduated from Stilwell High School and briefly attended Missouri Valley College in 1996. At the age of 20, Mullin took over his family’s plumbing business, Mullin Plumbing, after his father’s illness. Under his leadership, the company expanded into a successful enterprise encompassing multiple subsidiaries, including Mullin Environmental and Mullin Services, employing over 150 Oklahomans.​

Business Career

Mullin’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to diversify his business interests beyond plumbing. He ventured into areas such as environmental services and construction, establishing a portfolio of companies under the Mullin brand. His success in business has been a cornerstone of his political identity, often highlighting his experience in job creation and economic development.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

In addition to his business endeavors, Mullin pursued a career in mixed martial arts, achieving an undefeated professional record of 5-0. His dedication to the sport was recognized in 2016 when he was inducted into the Oklahoma Wrestling Hall of Fame. Even after retiring from active competition, Mullin remains involved in the wrestling community, coaching his children and mentoring young athletes in tournaments nationwide.​

Political Career

Mullin’s political journey began in 2012 when he was elected to represent Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his tenure, he served on various committees, including the Energy and Commerce Committee, where he focused on issues related to energy policy, healthcare, and environmental regulation. In 2022, Mullin successfully ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Jim Inhofe, becoming the first Native American U.S. Senator from Oklahoma since Robert Latham Owen in the early 20th century.​

Legislative Initiatives and Policy Positions

Throughout his political career, Mullin has maintained a conservative stance on various issues:​

• Regulation of Mixed Martial Arts: Leveraging his experience as a professional fighter, Mullin has advocated for extending federal boxing regulations to mixed martial arts. In 2016, he proposed legislation aimed at increasing transparency within organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), requiring them to share financial information with fighters and establish an independent ranking system. Reports indicate that Mullin planned to reintroduce the Ali Expansion Act as a senator in 2023.​

• 2020 Presidential Election Results: In December 2020, Mullin was among 126 Republican House members who signed an amicus brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit challenging the 2020 presidential election results. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case, citing a lack of standing. During his 2022 Senate campaign, Mullin continued to support claims that the election was stolen from Donald Trump.​

• Abortion: Mullin supports making abortion illegal in all circumstances, including cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is at risk. During a 2022 Republican runoff debate, he stated that neither he nor his wife would choose abortion, even if her life were in danger.​

• Transgender Rights: In December 2020, Mullin co-introduced the Protect Women’s Sports Act, aiming to define Title IX protections based on biological sex. This legislation would effectively prohibit transgender athletes from participating in sports programs aligning with their gender identity.​

U.S. House of Representatives Tenure

During his time in the House, Mullin was involved in several notable events:​

• Town Hall Controversy: In April 2017, Mullin faced criticism for stating during a town hall meeting that it was “bullcrap” to say taxpayers pay his salary, asserting that he paid for himself through taxes from his businesses. Despite this claim, as of 2022, Mullin continued to receive the standard congressional salary.

• Ethics Committee Report: A 2018 report from the U.S. House Ethics Committee acknowledged Mullin’s efforts to seek guidance regarding his family business but noted that congressional rules prohibit members from endorsing products or services from which they personally benefit financially.

• COVID-19 Relief Measures: Mullin voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and opposed President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan in 2022. He faced criticism after it was revealed that his businesses had benefited from over $1.4 million in forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.​

• Impeachment Resolutions: In 2022, Mullin introduced resolutions to expunge the first and second impeachments of President Trump from the Congressional Record. Despite support from House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, the resolutions did not pass in the Democrat-controlled House.​

January 2021 Capitol Attack

During the January 6 Capitol attack, Mullin, along with Representatives Troy Nehls and Pat Fallon, assisted Capitol Police in barricading doors to the House Chamber. He witnessed the shooting of Ashli Babbitt and later stated that the officer “didn’t have a choice” but to shoot, asserting that the action “saved people’s lives.”​

August 2021 Afghanistan Plan

In August 2021, during the final stages of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Representative Markwayne Mullin undertook efforts to assist in the evacuation of American citizens and Afghan allies. Mullin’s initiative involved attempting to enter Afghanistan to facilitate the rescue of individuals stranded amidst the Taliban’s rapid takeover.​

Mullin’s plan included traveling to Tajikistan with the intent to hire a helicopter to enter Afghanistan for evacuation purposes. He sought assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan to navigate logistical challenges, including the transportation of a significant sum of money intended for the operation. However, embassy officials declined to support his plan, citing legal and safety concerns. Reports indicated that Mullin expressed frustration towards embassy staff during these interactions. ​

Despite these obstacles, Mullin remained resolute in his commitment to the mission. He emphasized that his actions were motivated by a sense of duty to assist those left behind, stating, “I wasn’t trying to go over there and be a cowboy or anything like that… It was just, ‘What else do you do when you see a problem? How do you say no if you can be an asset?'”

Mullin’s attempts were part of broader, unauthorized efforts by some lawmakers to engage directly in evacuation operations during the chaotic withdrawal. These actions drew criticism from various quarters, including congressional leaders and administration officials, who cautioned against such independent initiatives due to the complexities and dangers involved. Nevertheless, Mullin defended his actions, asserting that he would undertake similar efforts again if necessary, highlighting his unwavering dedication to aiding those in peril. ​

Final Summary

Senator Markwayne Mullin’s multifaceted career encompasses significant achievements in business, athletics, and public service. His entrepreneurial ventures have contributed to economic growth in Oklahoma, while his athletic pursuits have demonstrated his dedication and discipline. In the political arena, Mullin has been a steadfast advocate for conservative principles, actively engaging in legislative efforts and, at times, undertaking bold initiatives to support American citizens and allies abroad. His diverse experiences continue to shape his approach to governance and public service.​

References

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. (n.d.). MULLIN, Markwayne.  https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/M001190

The Guardian. (2021, September 4). ‘I’m not Rambo’: Republican unrepentant about attempt to enter Afghanistan.  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/sep/04/republican-congressman-markwayne-mullin-afghanistan

Business Insider. (2021, September 1). US officials thwarted a Republican congressman’s attempts to conduct freelance rescue missions in Afghanistan: report.  https://www.businessinsider.com/gop-rep-markwayne-mullin-afghanistan-freelance-rescue-attempts-report-2021-9

New York Post. (2021, September 1). GOP lawmaker tried rogue rescue mission to Afghanistan: report. https://nypost.com/2021/09/01/rep-markwayne-mullin-tried-rogue-afghanistan-rescue-mission/

New York Post. (2021, September 4). GOP lawmaker defends attempted Afghanistan rescue mission: ‘I’m not Rambo’.  https://nypost.com/2021/09/04/rep-markwayne-mullin-defends-attempted-rogue-rescue-operation-to-afghanistan/

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