OK: Markwayne Mullin (R)

REPLACING:

Jim Inhofe (R)[i]

WORK HISTORY:

Mullin Plumbing (Founder); Mullin Environmental (Founder); Mullin Services (Founder); Mullin Properties (Founder); Rowan’s Steakhouse (Founder)[ii]

EDUCATION:

Diploma, Stilwell High School; Missouri Valley College; Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology; Honorary Doctorate, Bacone College[iii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Fight the Liberal Agenda; Advance President Trump’s Agenda; Make America Energy Independent Again; Demand Election Integrity; Combat Biden’s Inflation; Defend the Second Amendment; Protect the Rights of the Unborn; Restore Law & Order; Build Trump’s Wall & Secure Our Border[iv]

ON THE ISSUES

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

Mullin, who has said he will “protect the rights of the unborn,” has also proclaimed that he is “always pro-life.” [v] During a previous congressional campaign, Mullin said he would “always vote to protect the sanctity of life – from conception to natural end.”[vi]  He applauded enactment of an Oklahoma law that banned all abortions in the state, including in cases of rape or incest, and only provided an exception to preserve the life of the mother. [vii] [viii] He has expressed support for the Hyde Amendment to prevent taxpayer-funded abortions.[ix]

ECONOMY, JOBS & TAXES:

Previously, Mullin has called for balancing the federal budget and cutting spending to reduce the national debt. He has criticized the United States’ “burdensome regulatory environment” for small businesses, contending, “Sanity must be brought to the regulatory process so a business operating in different regional office locations of a federal agency can count on the same regulation being interpreted the same way in every office throughout the country.” [x] He supported passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.[xi]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

A self-described supporter of “market-based, patient-centered” healthcare reforms, Mullin has advocated for ending surprise billing, lowering prescription drug costs, and fighting the opioid epidemic.[xii]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

A supporter of a border wall between the United States and Mexico, Mullin has previously expressed opposition to amnesty, and advocated for ensuring that “Safety net programs for legal U.S. citizens” are not “abused by non-citizens.”[xiii] [xiv] He has railed against legislation that would provide funding for sanctuary cities.[xv]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

Mullin has argued that the “defund the police movement” has “put our law enforcement officers in danger” and expressed support for a Republican plan that he said would support “200K new police hires.”[xvi] [xvii] He has pledged to “crack down on weak prosecutors who refuse to do their jobs” and “permanently criminalize illicit fentanyl.”

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS & ELECTION SECURITY:

As a member of the House of Representatives in 2021, he said he voted against certifying the Electoral College results of the 2020 election because of “fraud and uncertainty.”[xviii] [xix] He has pledged to “always defend […] traditional marriage between one man and one woman” and expressed support for voter ID laws. [xx] [xxi]

EDUCATION:

Mullin has called on his supporters to “take a stand against Critical Race Theory” and opposed the Biden’s administration student loan forgiveness plan, tweeting, “We do not need farmers and ranchers, small business owners, and teachers in Oklahoma paying the debts of Ivy League lawyers and doctors across the U.S.” [xxii] [xxiii] During his previous runs for Congress, Mullin stressed the need for local control of public schools and expressed opposition to Common Core.[xxiv]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

According to his campaign website, Mullin supports transitioning to American energy independence.[xxv] He has referred to a Green New Deal as “utter nonsense,” tweeted that he will “ALWAYS support our oil and gas industry,” called for the expedition of “permits for domestic [oil] companies” and advocated for restarting the Keystone pipeline.[xxvi] [xxvii] [xxviii]

BIG TECH & DATA PRIVACY:

Mullin has repeatedly claimed that “Big Tech” is “biased” and called for revising or repealing Section 230 to better regulate these companies. [xxix] [xxx] [xxxi] However, in 2019, he welcomed investment from large technology companies, such as Google, in his state.[xxxii] [xxxiii]

GUN SAFETY:

Mullin previously opposed legislation seeking to institute background checks on all gun sales and implement a national red flag law.[xxxiv] [xxxv] He has pledged to “defend” Second Amendment rights and previously touted that he possessed a concealed-carry permit. [xxxvi]  [xxxvii]

FOREIGN POLICY:

Mullin has condemned Putin’s attack on Ukraine and introduced HR-7039, a bill seeking to allow Americans to volunteer to fight for Ukraine.[xxxviii] [xxxix] After he was criticized by primary opponents for voting in favor of a $42 billion aid package to Ukraine, he defended his vote, stating, “not one dollar was actually sent directly to Ukraine.”[xl] [xli] [xlii] Regarding China, Mullin has shown support for the freedom fighters in Hong Kong.[xliii]