.Politics » Rep. Dan Boren

Rep. James Lankford Only Oklahoman Voting Against Fiscal Cliff Deal

Chris Casteel — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:37:26 +0000

Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, was the only member of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation who voted against the fiscal cliff deal on Tuesday. Both of Oklahoma’s senators supported it, and four of the five House members voted aye late Tuesday night.
Among the four House members supporting it were outgoing Reps. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, and John Sullivan, R-Tulsa. Both of those members will be leaving the House on Thursday, when their replacements will be sworn in.
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, said Wednesday, “This agreement is far from perfect, but preventing the largest tax increase in history and making tax cuts permanent for 98 percent of taxpayers is a major victory for American workers and for the economy.
“While I would prefer a combination of tax cuts and spending cuts, passage of this bill lays the groundwork for significant spending reductions in the coming weeks. With tax rate increases off the table, President Obama and Senate Democrats will be forced to confront reality and accept spending and entitlement reforms.
“Passage of permanent tax relief ensures that the upcoming budget debates will be solely focused on spending restraint.
“Congress will have three significant opportunities in the next three months to reduce the deficit when we debate the debt ceiling, the across-the-board sequestration cuts, and the government funding bill that expires in March. The fiscal cliff is certainly not the last debate we’ll have over spending, but it is the last time President Obama will be able to threaten massive tax increases to avoid addressing the real causes of our debt.”

Markwayne Mullin Gets Committee Assignments

Chris Casteel — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:54:30 +0000

Rep.-elect Markwayne Mullin got a couple of committee assignments that will be good for his district and the state. The Republican from Westville, who will replace Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, in January, will serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which writes highway bills and monitors transportation issues; and the Natural Resources Committee, which has jurisdiction over Indian tribal issues and many energy-related issues on public lands. Boren currently serves on Natural Resources.

Here’s a release from Mullin’s office:

Newly elected Congressman Markwayne Mullin was selected by the Republican Steering Committee to serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Both committees have jurisdiction over key areas that are vital to Oklahoma’s Second Congressional District, including funding for roads, bridges and ports, along with being responsible for issues of mineral resources on public lands, and all matters regarding Native Americans and the hundreds of federally recognized tribes.

“I’m honored that the Steering Committee had the confidence in me to select me for membership on these very important committees,” said Mullin. “Both committees are so important to the Second District, whether you’re talking about roads and bridges, or the ports we have, or our Indian tribes and natural resources. Serving on these committees will help me serve the people of my district, and that’s what I’m here for. I’m ready to get to work.”

Mullin has spent two weeks in Washington D.C. since his election, attending official House orientation events, as well as meeting with members of the Steering Committee to discuss potential committee selections.

“When I started thinking about what committees I wanted to serve on, of course, I wanted to be on the committees that mean the most to our district, and these two really fit the bill,” Mullin said. “The Transportation Committee of course is an obvious one for us because we have vital ports, and all of our roads and bridges are critical, so that one is very important. And Natural Resources is a major part of so many things in the Second District like working with the tribes, dealing with water issues, and access to mineral rights. These really are great committees for our district.

“I’m glad to be serving on these committees, but no matter what committees I’m on, my mission in Congress is the same: we need to get spending under control so we can balance the budget and get out of debt.”

Mullin won’t become an official member of either committee until he is sworn in to office in January. In the mean time, Mullin said he will work on getting up to speed on upcoming issues so he can hit the ground running.

“I came up here to work, and that’s what I’ll be doing as long as I’m here,” said Mullin.

Markwayne Mullin Tapped to Give National Republican Address

Chris Casteel — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 19:11:44 +0000

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has chose Markwayne Mullin, the Republican nominee in the 2nd District congressional race in Oklahoma, to give the weekly GOP address on Saturday. Mullin is facing Democrat Rob Wallace and Independent Michael G. Fulks in the Nov. 6 election to replace retiring Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee.

Here is the release from Boehner’s office:

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) today announced that Oklahoma small businessman and rancher Markwayne Mullin will deliver the Weekly Republican Address on Saturday, October 13.

“Small businesses continue to struggle in this weak economy, and all the taxing, spending and red tape coming from the Obama administration is only making things worse,” Speaker Boehner said. “Markwayne Mullin has run a business and created jobs, and he understands the need to shut down the jobs-destroying red tape factory in Washington, DC. I’m looking forward to hearing Markwayne’s address, and, if elected, I know he’ll be a strong voice in the House for a smaller, more accountable, and less costly government.”

“People in Oklahoma know our economy doesn’t need more regulations– it needs more certainty,” Mullin said. “If we’re serious about keeping jobs here and bringing jobs home, we need to stop burdening small businesses with excessive and unnecessary regulations. I’m honored to deliver this week’s Republican address, and will use this time to discuss how running a small businesses drives my campaign for solutions to restrain the government bureaucracy and promote long-term economic growth.”

Markwayne Mullin is an eastern Oklahoma native, successful businessman, and rancher, running to succeed retiring Democratic Rep. Dan Boren in Oklahoma’s Second Congressional District. Shortly after Markwayne graduated from Stilwell High School, his dad fell ill and the family’s small plumbing company encountered financial troubles. Markwayne was only 20 years old but he and his wife, Christie, took over with only six employees. Through hard work and discipline, Markwayne and Christie not only stabilized Mullin Plumbing, but grew it into the largest plumbing service company in Oklahoma.

The Second Congressional District, which includes the eastern Oklahoma towns of Muskogee and McAlester, is one of 25 pickup opportunities Republicans are targeting across the country this November. The Cook Political Report rates Markwayne’s race as “likely Republican.”

Rep. Dan Boren Comments on His Cousin, Janna Little Ryan

Chris Casteel — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 16:18:14 +0000

U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, issued this statement in regard to the selection of Rep. Paul Ryan as the Republican vice presidential candidate. Boren is a first cousin to Ryan’s wife, Janna Little Ryan.

“Andrea and I are excited for Paul and Janna. Janna and I grew up together and I couldn’t be more proud of my cousin. Like my late mother after whom she is named, Janna is a wonderful parent to their children and will be Paul’s strongest supporter on the campaign trail. Paul has a firm moral compass and has always approached his job as a congressman with diligence and honesty. Having many friends on both sides of the aisle, he is an effective and talented leader. Although we belong in different political parties, I see Paul as a friend, a fellow hunter, and most importantly a family man.”