Decorum appears to be in short supply in Congress, as Sen. Mullin challenged labor leader Sean O’Brien to a fight in the middle of a congressional hearing.
The unbecoming behavior follows reports earlier in the day that former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) shoved or clipped with his elbow Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), forcing him to fall forward.
Burchett claimed the contact was intentional and retaliation for his role in leading Republicans to oust McCarthy from his position as speaker in September.
In Senate chambers, an angry Markwayne Mullin, a Republican senator representing Oklahoma, read a social media post from O’Brien when he was testifying before a Senate committee.
Reportedly, the offensive post included a challenge to Mullin to fight.
After reading the post, including the taunt that O’Brien could take Mullin “any time, any place,” the senator responded they could fight right there.
The Daily Caller reported that Mullin then stood and began taking his rings off, ostensibly readying for a fight.
The startling behavior was interrupted by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) who called for order and told Mullin to sit down.
Sanders’ order did not immediately quell the situation.
“Quite the tough guy act in these Senate hearings,” said Mullin. You know where to find me?” Quoting from the post he added, “Any place, anytime, cowboy.”
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Mullin continued: “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.”
O’Brien replied, “Okay, that’s fine. Perfect.”
Mullin pressed: “You want to do it right now?”
O’Brien replied, “I’d love to do it right now.”
Mullin taunted: “Well stand your butt up then.”
O’Brien replied, “You stand your butt up.”
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