Sunflower State News

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) appeared on Fox News to discuss several recent developments in Washington, including a report from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a $9 billion rescissions package, and new cryptocurrency legislation.

Marshall addressed the recent report by DNI Tulsi Gabbard that alleges former President Obama’s administration was involved in manufacturing the Russia misinformation scandal. He stated, “I think there’s a lot of new information coming to bear right now, information that I’d never heard of before, as far as what was happening in the old Oval Office, where there was a conspiracy to absolutely undermine President Trump as he took office as well. You recall back when the FISA court abuses started, you were covering that story as well.

“So, this just makes sense, after you understand what the FISA abuse that was going on. This was the next chapter of it. I think the Democrats never thought that President Trump could win. And now more of this is coming to light.”

When asked if the Senate intelligence committee missed something in its original investigation, Marshall said: “Look, I think that she’s uncovered new information since then. I think that there are new documents that are showing that President Obama was in the room and they did this conspiracy, working with lifetime people within the political agencies, within the FBI… there was a conspiracy to try to throw out this misinformation, to try to address [and] make this an illegitimate election. So, I think this is new information. I think it needs to be investigated. I think that’s the job of the Attorney General: to find the truth and deliver justice for America.”

On fiscal matters, Marshall spoke about Congress passing a $9 billion rescissions package against a backdrop of national debt exceeding $37 trillion. He noted concerns about fraud and abuse within USAID programs and referenced recent cases involving bribery schemes and embezzlement overseas. “Well, certainly the whole backdrop of this is the $37 trillion of national debt we have. $9 billion is still a lot of money back home. When the President discovers fraud, waste, and abuse, we need to go after it. I think what America doesn’t realize is that our own Government Accounting Office, our own Inspector General, has been saying for over a decade that USAID is rife with fraud and abuse.

“Just think back recently, $500 million bribery scheme with USAID dollars, $100 million of embezzlement in Zambia recently as well. So all over the world, there’s fraud, waste, and abuse. We need to go after all of it.

“But yes at the end of day we need to go back to a regular budget process,” he added.

Turning attention to digital assets regulation following passage of major cryptocurrency legislation known as the GENIUS Act—which aims at establishing regulatory guardrails for stablecoins—Marshall explained: “Well I think that this is a great start... Think of this as the skeleton to preserve and protect the stablecoin industry... It’s going to make sure that when they’re investing in crypto it’s pegged one-to-one with US dollar... It’s good for consumers... It’s going keep US dollar dominant... promote innovation...

“When you put few rules around it those people who are innovators are ready move forward... so I think step forward preventing some money laundering schemes across world as well...

“So this great first step... Yes it’s going take more... Think back internet 1996 – wanted put some guardrails around but not stifle innovation.”

Regarding further crypto legislation efforts: “You know go back my analogy skeleton... then you have put muscles on it organs nervous system... how much more consumer protection do we need? What else can we do make sure these financial institutions issuing coins held up standards say bank ‘know your customer’ type philosophy...

“So there’s more be done but low-hanging fruit ... could get 60 votes Senate for ... may struggle doing any more year but see.”

Finally addressing President Trump’s suggestion Congress should consider ending its August recess amid ongoing challenges facing federal agencies: “You know absolutely ... want agree President Leader Thune very talented ... doing incredible job ... talked many Secretaries Cabinet Members Billy Long IRS drowning ... swamp so deep here ... need more political appointees help them get through swamp get their job done ... willing do it ... worked weekends my whole life don’t know what vacation even means happy stay here long working.”