U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to discuss the ongoing government shutdown, which he referred to as the “Schumer Shutdown.” The federal closure has now lasted 35 days, affecting a wide range of services and workers across the country.
Mullin commented on Democratic leadership’s strategy regarding the shutdown. “They’ve been looking for an off ramp. They thought after the ‘No Kings’ rally they would have an off ramp. Unfortunately, Chuck Schumer felt like it tightened their grip, that they couldn’t allow the Dems to release their hold on the government… because they were afraid if they opened the government up before today, that their base wouldn’t show up and vote in Virginia and New Jersey, where we have tight elections.”
He noted internal divisions among Democrats over continuing the shutdown. “But after today, the negotiations to keep Dick Durbin from voting with us last week, which would have caused a jailbreak, because he’s the number two Democrat in the Senate. He had expressed concerns about continuing keeping the federal government closed.”
Discussing next steps in Congress, Mullin said: “…We’ll probably have the vote in in the Senate either tomorrow night or Thursday. Then the House has got to come back, because we’re going to make some changes to it. We’ve got to change the date. And there’s discussions about maybe putting three appropriation bills on the CR too… I think we’ll be open by Sunday.”
Mullin also addressed Senator John Fetterman’s position during negotiations: “What John Fetterman is doing is just telling the truth. But the guy is a very independent thinker. I mean, think about, look at the way he dresses. He walks to his own drum. He’s unapologetic… And the guy just says the truth. I mean, he does what’s on his heart. He feels it, and we all respect that. And who would have thought, as tough as that race was in Pennsylvania, that John Fetterman would be the voice of reason in the Democrat party.”
The Senator raised concerns about federal employees seeking other jobs due to missed paychecks during this period: “… Who blames TSA workers for taking personal time off so they can go earn some income? Who blames the air traffic controllers for taking some personal time off so they can go earn some income? They’ve been without a paycheck for a month now.”
On possible reforms to prevent future shutdowns and ensure essential services continue even during budget disputes, Mullin stated: “We’ve got to seriously take a look at how to prevent future shutdowns. There’s got to be a trigger that takes place. I’m not for getting rid of the filibuster as a whole, but maybe there’s some triggers after 10 days, Becky, that if the government is shut down for more than 10 days, that there’s some small concessions that are put in place to reopen the essential part of the government and get these people paid until Congress can work out their differences.”
“There needs to be serious conversations moving forward, because when parties are using the American people as ‘leverage’, that’s what the Democrat Party leadership has said for the last 35 days, that’s a problem, because we’re playing with people’s lives. So, this isn’t a policy fight, Becky, this is a political fight that the Democrats are fighting, and we’re trying to have a policy discussion,” Mullin added.
Regarding Oklahoma specifically, Mullin relayed his conversation with Governor Stitt about how state agencies and local organizations are responding: “I spoke to Governor Stitt about this on Thursday, and he was saying ‘Listen, state’s making some extra precautions working with tribes…’ I was talking to church leaders. One church group in Muskogee fed 120 people last night… The governor said… ‘it’s given us… an opportunity… discovering all types of fraud at state level… able to cut right now because of shutdown.’”
Senator Mullin continues providing updates through his social media channels including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
