Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders clashed with a Republican colleague on Wednesday during the confirmation hearing for Dr. Casey Means, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Surgeon General.
As the ranking Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Sanders voiced concern over the spread of vaccine misinformation, specifically the claim advanced by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that childhood vaccinations are linked to autism.
Citing conclusions from the American Medical Association, Sanders emphasized that the scientific consensus rejects any connection between vaccines and autism. He pressed Means to clearly align herself with that consensus rather than Kennedy’s stance. Means responded cautiously, saying that all hypotheses should be examined through research.
Also responding, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin launched into a long-winded oration about the importance of scientific inquiry and the need for taking a practical approach to reforming the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as “Obamacare.”
“How dare us look at science? My goodness, science is supposed to be perfect? I thought science was always supposed to be studied,” the senator mused.
Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin sparred with Vermont independent Bernie Sanders during the Senate HELP Committee confirmation hearing for Dr. Casey Means on February 25, 2026.
“I’m not a doctor and I’m not saying we shouldn’t act,” Mullin said. “I’m saying we should investigate, examine the issue, and question what we’re doing.”
He added that while both parties might agree the healthcare system is broken, he opposes government-run medicine. Calling coverage “completely unaffordable,” Mullin argued Americans were promised lower costs under Obamacare.
“Let’s work together, scrap the ACA, admit it failed, and partner with President Trump to build a system that actually delivers affordable care,” he said, adding he believed Democrats would never agree. He accused them of attacking anyone who tries to reform the system.
Wrapping up, Mullin joked that he had spoken too long.
“Yes, you did,” Sanders interjected.
An irritated Mullin fired back that he hadn’t asked for Sanders’ opinion and accused the veteran lawmaker of being “part of the problem,” noting Sanders had served in Washington for decades without fixing the system.
Sanders replied dryly: “I decided not to run for surgeon general. You’re the nominee I’m questioning.”
Mullin, still visibly upset, muttered that such a scenario would never be acceptable.
The two lawmakers have clashed before, including a heated 2023 confrontation involving Teamsters president Sean O’Brien and another dispute last December, when Mullin dubbed Sanders “the Grinch” over a healthcare vote.
Their latest exchange quickly drew sharply divided reactions online, with some conservative commentators praising Mullin’s aggressive pushback and others criticizing the tone of the exchange.