With the first week of August already here, it is almost time for me to drop my kids off for their first day of school. Some schools in Oklahoma start as early as next week. As always, their summer vacation seemed to fly by. Schools across Oklahoma will start this year facing unique challenges like never before. Budgets have been cut due to a plunge in oil prices, forcing some schools to adopt a 4-day week. Teaching jobs have also taken a hit. On top of that, the Obama administration is trying t... Read more

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK02) introduced H.R. 5604 June 28th. It is a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize veterans to use their Post-9/11 Educational Assistance benefits to pursue independent study programs at certain educational institutions that are not institutions of higher learning. Under the current law, veterans are not allowed to use their G.I. Bill education benefits for vocational programs if even one credit of the class is online or through distance learning... Read more

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) has urged the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to retract the May 13, 2016, guidance that the administration issued to all Oklahoma public schools regarding the use of school bathrooms by students who identify as transgender. The guidance requires schools to allow students to use the bathroom facilities that correspond with the gender they identify with, rather than the sex that appears on their birth certificate. Althoug... Read more

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) has announced the winners of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition. During an awards ceremony at Northeastern State University on April 22, 2016, Mullin announced the winners of six different categories, as well as the overall winners of the competition. Robert Nofire, a senior at Tahlequah High School, took home the top honor of first place overall in the competition for his graphite drawing titled “Chief Highbear.” He also won first place in the drawings c... Read more

The National Johnson-O’Malley Association (NJOMA) has honored Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) with its Congressional Leadership Honors Award. Mullin, a member of the Cherokee Nation, was recognized for his commitment to Native American students and for advancing the education priorities of native communities. “As one of two Native Americans currently serving in Congress, I know that native communities have unique educational needs and challenges. It has been one of my top priorities to make... Read more

A new education law will restore control of Oklahoma’s education system to the state government, local school boards, and parents. The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) was signed into law on Thursday after passing both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate with overwhelming support. Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) worked to make sure Oklahoma’s education priorities were included in the final bill. “The federal government has been a burden on our teachers and in our clas... Read more

Sometimes it is hard to see a direct connection between what is happening in Washington, D.C. and our everyday lives here in Oklahoma. Over the past several weeks, I have been working on legislation that will impact us all in tangible ways. I want to highlight four bills that the House voted on this week that will have direct, positive impacts for Oklahomans. They are: Funding for our federal highway system (the FAST Act of 2015) Repealing No Child Left Behind (the Every Student Succeeds Act) Ma... Read more

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) on Wednesday voted to restore control of Oklahoma’s education system to the state government, local school boards, and parents. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a bill developed by a bipartisan House-Senate Committee to replace the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, by a vote of 359-64. The ESSA peels back the federal control associated with No Child Left Behind by prohibiting the federal government from coercin... Read more

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) announced the winning essays in the 2015 Second District Constitution Essay Forum. “We appreciate all of the students who took the time to study our U.S. Constitution in more depth and formulate thoughtful responses to the essay questions.” Mullin said. “We are also grateful to our judges for their time and talents in evaluating the essay submissions.” Middle School Winners: First Place: Sydnee Martin, Bluejacket Public Schools Second Place: Michele Oswald, C... Read more

Congressman Markwayne Mullin (OK-02) reminded any student interested in participating in the 2015 Second District Constitution Essay Forum about the upcoming due date for entries. The essay forum is open to all middle school (6th – 8th grade) and high school (9th – 12th grade) students from the Second District. Public, private and homeschool students are invited to submit an essay answering this year’s forum question. All entries are due to Mullin’s Muskogee office by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 18, 2015... Read more