Bernie Sanders and Markwayne Mullin Face Off in Heated Senate Debate: Key Takeaways

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin confronted Bernie Sanders on the Senate floor, accusing him of contributing to the nation’s “broken” healthcare system.

The tension between Mullin and Sanders reignited on Wednesday during a session discussing Casey Means’ nomination for US Surgeon General.

At the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing, Mullin criticized the panel for allegedly “chastising” those attempting to reform healthcare.

“God forbid we change and try to fix our broken system,” Mullin remarked, adding, “Anyway, I ranted too long.”

As Mullin attempted to steer the conversation back on track, Sanders interjected with a sharp, “Yes, you did.”

Mullin then launched a pointed rant, at one point seemingly mocking Sanders’ age to question why he hadn’t done more to tackle these issues over the years. 

‘I’m sorry, I didn’t ask for your opinion on that, and if I cared about your opinion I would ask you. But I don’t care about your opinion,’ the senator said.

‘You’re part of the system. You’re part of the problem,’ he continued. ‘You’ve been sitting here longer than I’ve been alive. This is your problem.’ 

Republican Markwayne Mullin told Bernie Sanders he was ‘part of the problem’ in the nation’s ‘broken’ healthcare system during a fiery Senate floor confrontation

During the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing, Mullin (pictured) blasted the panel for ‘chastising’ anyone brought before them for trying to reform healthcare

The feud between the two senators flared again Wednesday during discussions surrounding the nomination of Casey Means (pictured) as US Surgeon General and issues with Obamacare

‘You should have fixed this a long time ago. You’ve been railing on it for so long. What have you been doing?’

Sanders sarcastically replied that he had decided against running for Surgeon General, adding, ‘You’re the nominee I’ve decided.’

‘That is definitely something we would never accept,’ Mullin said before moving on from the conversation.

Social media quickly picked up on the interaction prompting Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, to respond.

‘Senator Mullin FIRED BACK after Bernie Sanders took a cheap shot, and it did NOT end well for the octogenarian socialist,’ Kolvet wrote on X with the clip attached.

Comedian Tim Young also shared his reaction on X, writing, ‘That’s what his commie supporters can’t figure out.

‘Bernie has been in office so long that he should have solved their problems by now.’

Journalist Anna Matson wrote: ‘Finally. Someone put Bernie Sanders in his place. He’s all talk and no action.’

Mullin launched a pointed rant at Sanders and seemingly mocked his age as he questioned why he hadn’t done more to tackle healthcare issues over the years

Mullin told Sanders: ‘You’re part of the system. You’re part of the problem. You’ve been sitting here longer than I’ve been alive. This is your problem’

Andrew Kolvet (pictured), executive producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, responded to the clip on X: ‘Senator Mullins FIRED BACK after Bernie Sanders took a cheap shot, and it did NOT end well for the octogenarian socialist’

‘He’s been in office longer than I’ve been alive and he has nothing to show for it,’ she added. 

The pair have been involved in multiple scuffles, particularly in recent years, such as in 2023 when Sanders tried to play peacemaker between Mullin and Teamsters President Sean O’Brien.

In November 2023, Mullin, a former MMA fighter, told O’Brien to stand up as he seemed ready to lunge during a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing. 

Sanders interrupted, banging the gavel and ordering the Oklahoma senator to stop: ‘You’re a United States senator, sit down,’ he said.

‘This is a hearing, and God knows the American people have enough contempt for Congress let’s not,’ he added, before the pair cut him off and resumed their shouting match.

In December, Mullin and Sanders fought on the Senate floor over Obamacare, an exchange Mullin shared on X in which he called Sanders ‘The Grinch’.

He accused the Vermont senator of blocking the bipartisan Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act, a bill designed to expand treatment options for children with cancer.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Sanders and Mullin’s representatives for comment.