Washington, D.C. — Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma is facing criticism after it was revealed that he neglected to disclose numerous stock transactions over the course of more than two years — a potential breach of federal financial transparency rules for lawmakers.
📉 Delay in Financial Disclosures Raises Red Flags
According to a recent investigative report, Mullin did not submit timely reports about his stock trades, as required under the STOCK Act. Lawmakers are required to disclose stock or investment transactions within 45 days of making them, as per federal transparency rules. Mullin’s delayed filings — some stretching over two and a half years — have sparked fresh concerns about the lack of enforcement of these rules.
Even with this mandate in place, no sitting member of Congress has ever faced legal consequences for breaking the STOCK Act — a point of ongoing frustration for ethics watchdogs and accountability groups.
🗣️ Senator’s Office Defends the Delay
Responding to the controversy, Mullin’s team claimed that the late filings were simply corrections and not intentional violations.
“These updates are similar to filing amended tax returns — sometimes adjustments need to be made to ensure accuracy,” said a spokesperson.
His office also emphasized that Mullin does not handle his investments directly. Instead, a third-party financial firm manages his stock portfolio, and they report activity to the Senate Ethics Committee on a bi-weekly basis.
🧩 Transparency or Loopholes?
Critics argue that these kinds of delays, even if unintentional, create gaps in public accountability and allow lawmakers to potentially benefit from non-public information without immediate oversight.
Mullin’s situation adds to growing bipartisan calls to strengthen disclosure enforcement and consider a ban on stock trading for sitting members of Congress to prevent any conflicts of interest.
