Senate Committee Hearing Erupts In Threats And Tensions As Republican Senator And Labor Leader Nearly Come To Blows

Written By BlabberBuzz | Wednesday, 15 November 2023 02:30 PM
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Senate Committee Hearing Erupts In Threats And Tensions As Republican Senator And Labor Leader Nearly Come To Blows

A Senate committee hearing on Tuesday teetered on the edge of physical confrontation as Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma threatened to engage in a fight with Teamsters President Sean O'Brien.

The committee's chairman, Senator Bernie Sanders, attempted to mediate the escalating tension.

"Sir, this is a time, this is a place. You want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults and we can finish it here," Mullin addressed O'Brien during a Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing. This was in response to a tweet from O'Brien, in which he challenged the senator to a confrontation "any time" or "any place."

"OK, that's fine, perfect," O'Brien retorted.

"You want to do it now?" Mullin inquired.

"I would love to do it right now," O'Brien responded, prompting Mullin to retort, "Well, stand your butt up then."

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"You stand your butt up, big guy," O'Brien countered.

Mullin, a former MMA fighter, rose from his seat, seemingly prepared to approach O'Brien.

"Stop it, hold it, no, no, sit down," interjected Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, the committee's chairman, in an effort to defuse the situation. "You're a United States senator. Sit down."

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Despite Sanders' intervention, the verbal sparring between Mullin and O'Brien continued.

"You challenged me to a cage match, acting like a 12-year-old," O'Brien said after Mullin accused him of being "quiet" in the face of a challenge.

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"Excuse me, hold it," Sanders interjected, speaking over the Oklahoma senator. "Sen. Mullin, I have the mic."

"We're not here to talk about physical abuse," Sanders reminded the committee.

Mullin then labeled O'Brien a "thug," to which O'Brien retorted by calling Mullin "disrespectful."

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The exchange escalated with both parties declaring their lack of respect for each other, prompting Sanders to intervene once again.

"Hold it," Sanders commanded, gavel in hand. "This is a hearing to discuss economic issues … we're not here to talk about fights or anything else."

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Despite Sanders' pleas, the bickering continued until the hearing eventually progressed to the next line of questioning from other members of the panel.

The animosity between O'Brien and Mullin can be traced back to March, during a heated Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing. The contention arose over a discussion about O'Brien's salary in comparison to his union members. Sanders was compelled to mediate that argument as well.

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The two continued to talk over each other, their frustration palpable, until Mullin told O'Brien, "Sir, you need to shut your mouth because you don't know what you're talking about."

"You're going to tell me to shut my mouth?" O'Brien retorted, mocking Mullin's earlier statement about not being "afraid" of a physical altercation.

Sanders eventually managed to quiet the pair and ensured that Mullin allowed O'Brien time to speak.

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