When you think of a United States Senator, you probably picture someone who spent their whole life in law school or climbing a local political ladder. Markwayne Mullin basically blew that stereotype out of the water. Honestly, how many people in D.C. can say they were an undefeated MMA fighter before they started voting on federal budgets? Not many.
Mullin didn't exactly plan on being a politician. He was a guy from Westville, Oklahoma, who liked wrestling and working on his family ranch. But life threw a massive curveball when he was 20. His dad got sick, and suddenly, the kid who was supposed to be finishing his wrestling scholarship at Missouri Valley College was back home, trying to keep Mullin Plumbing from going under. It was half a million dollars in debt. He and his wife, Christie, worked seven days a week to save it. You've gotta respect that kind of grit, whether you like his politics or not.
What People Get Wrong About Markwayne Mullin
Most folks see the "R" next to his name and assume he's just another standard Republican. But he’s actually the first Native American in the Senate since 2005. He’s a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. That’s a huge deal because it gives him a unique seat at the table when it comes to tribal sovereignty and Indian Affairs.
There's also this weird misconception that he's a "career politician." Kinda ironic, considering he once promised to only serve three terms in the House and then... well, he didn't. He changed his mind in 2017, saying he was "ill-advised" when he made that pledge. That move definitely ticked off some people, including former Senator Tom Coburn. But Oklahoma voters didn't seem to mind much; they've kept sending him back with massive margins.
The Plumber Persona
He really leans into the "blue-collar" thing. Even though he's a multi-millionaire now—having sold several of his businesses in 2021—he still talks like the guy who’s coming to fix your pipes. He’s the only currently serving Senator without at least a bachelor’s degree. He eventually got an associate degree in construction technology from OSUIT in 2010, but he’s basically the "anti-Ivy League" candidate.
Why He’s Dominating the News in 2026
If you've been following the headlines lately, Mullin has been a massive force on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Just a few weeks ago, in January 2026, he was a key player in pushing through the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
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He managed to secure over $670 million for Oklahoma military installations. That’s a lot of cash. We're talking:
- $497 million for property and construction at Tinker Air Force Base.
- $55 million for the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant.
- Huge chunks of change for drone defense and "Human-AI Teaming" research at the University of Tulsa.
He’s also been chairing the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee. This is the group that decides how much money the Capitol Police and the Library of Congress get. It’s a powerful spot for a guy who, just a decade ago, said he didn't even own a suit when he first got elected to Congress.
The Fight for Energy
Mullin is obsessed with "energy dominance." He’s constantly railing against federal regulations that he thinks are slowing down oil and gas production. He’s a big fan of permitting reform. Basically, he wants it to be way easier and faster for companies to dig, drill, and build.
The Controversy Factor
He isn't exactly a "low-profile" guy. He makes waves. During the 2022 campaign, he backed claims that the 2020 election was stolen. He’s also one of the most staunchly anti-abortion members of the Senate, famously stating that he wouldn't even support an exception if his own wife's life was at risk. That’s a hardline stance that even some of his allies find intense.
And then there’s his temper. Or, as he might call it, his "competitive spirit." You might remember the time he nearly got into a physical scrap with a union leader during a committee hearing. He literally stood up and offered to "settle it" right then and there. It was pure MMA energy in a room full of suits. Some people loved it; others thought it was an embarrassment to the Senate.
A Close Tie to Trump
It’s no secret that Mullin and Donald Trump are tight. Mullin often tells a story about how Trump personally stepped in to help when his son was critically injured. That personal loyalty runs deep. In 2026, he remains one of the most reliable votes for the Trump-aligned wing of the GOP, especially on things like immigration and border security.
What This Means for Oklahoma (and You)
If you live in Oklahoma, Mullin is your guy for keeping the federal money flowing into the state’s defense industry. He’s very good at that part of the job. For the rest of the country, he represents a specific type of New Right politician: wealthy but culturally blue-collar, intensely partisan, and unafraid of a confrontation.
He’s currently pushing a bill (S.3675) to increase protections for ICE agents and other federal law enforcement. He’s also big on the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), arguing that social media is basically a poison for teenagers' mental health.
Actionable Insights for Following Mullin's Career:
- Watch the Appropriations: If you want to know where the money is going in the Midwest, follow Mullin’s work on the Appropriations Committee. He’s been funneling millions into "mobile micro nuclear fission reactors" (Project Pele) and cybersecurity.
- Energy Legislation: Keep an eye on his "permitting reform" bills. These will be the front lines of the battle between energy production and environmental protection in 2026.
- Tribal Issues: As a Cherokee citizen, his votes on the Committee on Indian Affairs often set the tone for how the GOP handles tribal sovereignty.
- Check the Scorecards: Groups like Heritage Action give him a moderate-to-high conservative rating (around 42% recently, though it fluctuates), but he often breaks with the "fiscal hawk" wing when it comes to military spending for his home state.
Markwayne Mullin isn't going anywhere. Whether he’s debating AI ethics or offering to fight a witness in a hallway, he’s become a central figure in the modern Republican Party. He’s the plumber who made it to the Senate, and he’s using every bit of that 5-0 MMA record to hold his ground in D.C.
To stay updated on his latest votes, you can check the official Senate records or follow his office's press releases, which—honestly—are usually more interesting than your average politician's "word salad" updates. Look for his work on the NDAA and Indian Affairs if you want to see where he has the most actual legislative impact.