Markwayne Mullin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Markwayne Mullin
Official portrait, 2022
United States Senator from Oklahoma
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2023 Serving with James Lankford
Preceded by	Jim Inhofe
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 2nd district
In office January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Dan Boren
Succeeded by	Josh Brecheen
Personal details
Born	(1977-07-26) July 26, 1977 (age 48) Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Nationality	American Cherokee Nation
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Christie Rowan ​ (m. 1997)​
Children	6
Education	Missouri Valley College Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology (AAS)

Markwayne Mullin (born July 26, 1977) is an American businessman and politician. He is currently a U.S. Senator for Oklahoma. He started this role in 2023.

Before becoming a senator, Mullin was a U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 2nd district. He served in the House from 2013 to 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Mullin made history as the first Native American U.S. Senator since 2005. He is also the second person from the Cherokee Nation to be elected to the Senate. The first was Robert L. Owen, who served until 1925.

Early Life and Businesses

Markwayne Mullin was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on July 26, 1977. He is the youngest of seven children. His unique first name, Markwayne, comes from two of his uncles, Mark and Wayne.

He finished high school at Stilwell High School in Stilwell, Oklahoma. In 1997, when he was 20, Mullin took over his father's plumbing business, Mullin Plumbing. His father had become ill.

In 2010, Mullin earned an associate's degree in construction technology. He studied at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology. He is the only current U.S. Senator who does not have a bachelor's degree.

Before he was elected to Congress, Mullin owned several businesses. These included Mullin Properties, Mullin Farms, and Mullin Services. He also hosted a radio show called House Talk. This show was about home improvement.

In 2021, Mullin sold his plumbing companies. This sale greatly increased his reported personal wealth.

Time in the U.S. House of Representatives

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) with other Native American Members of Congress, Deb Haaland (D-NM) and Sharice Davids (D-KS), in 2020.

Markwayne Mullin served in the United States House of Representatives for ten years. He represented Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district.

Becoming a Representative

In 2011, the previous representative, Dan Boren, announced he would retire. Mullin decided to run for the seat. He presented himself as a businessman, not a typical politician.

He won the Republican primary election in 2012. Then, he won the general election against Democrat Rob Wallace. Mullin was the first Republican to represent this district since 2001.

Re-election Campaigns

Mullin was re-elected several times. He won his elections in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020.

When he first ran in 2012, he promised to serve only three terms. However, he later decided to run for a fourth term in 2018. He explained that he had been given bad advice about the term limit.

Key Actions and Events

Mullin during the 113th Congress.

In 2017, Mullin received some criticism. He said that taxpayers do not pay his salary. He stated that his businesses paid enough taxes to cover his own salary. However, members of Congress do receive a salary from the government.

In 2018, the House Ethics Committee looked into some of Mullin's business activities. They noted that members of Congress should not promote products if they benefit financially. Mullin had tried to get advice from the committee on his family business.

Mullin voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This plan provided financial help during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also spoke against President Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. Mullin himself had received federal loan forgiveness for his business.

In 2022, Mullin suggested removing the records of President Donald Trump's impeachments from the official Congressional Record. This proposal did not pass at the time.

During the Capitol Attack

On January 6, 2021, a large group of people attacked the United States Capitol. During this event, Mullin helped U.S. Capitol Police. He worked with other representatives to build barricades. They tried to protect the doors to the House Chamber.

Mullin later said he saw the shooting of a person named Ashli Babbitt. He believed the police officer had to shoot to protect people. He said members of Congress and their staff were in danger.

Afghanistan Travel Plan

In August 2021, U.S. troops were leaving Afghanistan. Mullin tried to travel to Kabul to help an American family leave the country. He planned to rent a helicopter for this.

The U.S. Defense Department and U.S. State Department advised him not to go. They said it was too dangerous. Mullin's plan did not happen.

Committee Roles

While in the House, Mullin was part of important committees. These included:

• Committee on Armed Services
• Committee on Environment and Public Works
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pension
• Committee on Indian Affairs

Becoming a U.S. Senator

In February 2022, Senator Jim Inhofe announced he would resign. This meant a special election would be held. Mullin decided to run for this Senate seat.

He won the Republican primary election. Then, he defeated the Democratic candidate, Kendra Horn, in the general election. Mullin officially became a U.S. Senator in January 2023.

Interaction with Sean O'Brien

In 2023, Mullin had a heated exchange with Teamsters president Sean O'Brien during a Senate hearing. Mullin accused O'Brien of "intimidation." O'Brien called Mullin a "tough guy" and a "greedy CEO."

Later, Mullin challenged O'Brien to a fight for charity on Twitter. In November 2023, during another committee meeting, Mullin again challenged O'Brien to fight. The committee chair, Bernie Sanders, had to step in and stop the argument.

Mullin later said that sometimes "you need to get punched in the face." He mentioned historical figures like Andrew Jackson who were involved in duels. Despite this public disagreement, Mullin and O'Brien have since become friends. They even talk on the phone regularly.

Political Views

Mixed Martial Arts Regulation

Mullin wants to expand federal rules for boxing to include mixed martial arts (MMA) businesses. He proposed a law in 2016. This law would make MMA companies share financial details with fighters. It would also create an independent ranking system.

2020 Presidential Election

In December 2020, Mullin supported a lawsuit that questioned the results of the 2020 United States presidential election. The Supreme Court did not hear the case. When he ran for Senate in 2022, Mullin continued to support the idea that the 2020 election was unfair.

Transgender Rights

In 2020, Mullin helped introduce a bill called the Protect Women's Sports Act. This bill would define Title IX protections based on a person's biological sex at birth. It would prevent individuals assigned male at birth from joining sports programs meant for women or girls. This would affect many transgender athletes.

Personal Life

Markwayne Mullin and his wife, Christie Renee Rowan, live in Westville, Oklahoma. They have six children, including twin girls they adopted in 2013.

Before his political career, Mullin was a professional mixed martial arts fighter. Between 2006 and 2007, he fought in three MMA matches and won all of them.

Mullin is an official citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He is one of five Native Americans currently serving in the U.S. Congress. He is the first Native American senator elected in almost two decades.

Mixed Martial Arts Record

See also

In Spanish: Markwayne Mullin para niños