Sunflower State News

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) appeared on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria to discuss ongoing budget negotiations, potential government shutdowns, cryptocurrency legislation, and recent developments related to Russia misinformation.

Discussing the status of upcoming budget bills, Marshall said that several appropriations bills, including those for agriculture, military construction, and veterans affairs, have received strong bipartisan support in committee. “Good morning to you. I’m on my way to Chief summer camp, so it’s an exciting day for me. But how this is going to play out the rest of this week… We need to get these bills across the Senate floor, and if they don’t, we can pin the tail on Chuck Schumer. The bills that we’re considering this week, think about agriculture, military construction, and VA, have passed out of committee by supermajority margins. Susan Collins is the Appropriations Chairwoman of that Committee. She’s done a wonderful job getting bipartisan support.

“So, think about the federal government’s discretionary spending. There are 12 buckets. We’re going to try to get three of them across the floor. The Agriculture Committee appropriations came out 27 to zero. So, the only way that these don’t get across the finish line is if Chuck Schumer stops it from happening.”

Addressing concerns about a possible government shutdown, Marshall pointed to ongoing amendment processes and praised Senator Collins for efforts to reduce discretionary spending: “Well, Cheryl, that’s why we have an amendment process. That’s why we need to play this out in front of the American people. But again, I’m going to compliment Senator Collins, and that she went back to pre-pandemic spending levels. This is the least amount of money we spent on discretionary spending since 2019, adjusted for inflation, so she’s doing a great job.

“One other great thing I want to talk about here is going back to two years ago, Senator Collins was able to separate this parity between defense spending and non-defense discretionary spending.

“So, for years, if the Republicans asked for more spending for defense, then the Democrats asked for more spending for their social programs, so we’ve been able to separate them. Look, this bill is not perfect, but it has huge bipartisan support. It’s the next step in going back to balancing the budget. We did the One Big, Beautiful Bill, I think that grows the economy. I think our discretionary spending is going down in this particular case. So these are great steps. We did a rescission package. More of those to come. So long-term let’s think about our goal here; long-term our goal is to get back towards a balanced budget.”

On cryptocurrency regulation and crime prevention measures such as money laundering through digital assets like crypto currencies—a concern shared by law enforcement agencies—Marshall said: “I think most importantly is Congress is now addressing the issue of my concerns about money laundering; that GENIUS Act was passed. And again compliments to Senator Bill Hagerty Cynthia Lummis and others Tim Scott on getting this GENIUS Act passed So I think it’s a great first step in protecting us from money laundering.

“You know I think it’s important where I was coming from Becoming a Senator elected in 2020 as I talked to more and more CIA agents national security people one of their top three concerns was always money laundering and how crypto was being used And then you think about fentanyl poisoning What happens is cartels bring drugs across border but then Chinese triad Chinese version mafia would then money launder it with crypto

“So I still have concerns about crypto The GENIUS Act is moving in right direction Previously under Joe Biden he refused take issue up Thanks again President Trump for being leader and Senate leadership Senator Thune again bringing us front I didn’t think we’d ever get bill passed but with President Trump’s pushing we got that across finish line too.”

Marshall also commented on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's report regarding Russian disinformation during previous administrations: “Wow there’s lot unravel there but remember Obama never thought Trump could win They never thought anyone would go back uncover paperwork I think Obama White House was true threat democracy Think psychological projection That’s what Democrat Party now That’s one reasons they have such low low approval ratings psychological projection So years they’ve been saying President Trump threat but now understand Obama actually involved this

“You know they lied us about COVID they lied us about Biden health they lied us about FISA report Russia Russia Russia they lied us about Hunter laptop So threat democracy They continue psychological projection accusing others what they’ve been doing

“And sat there thought weekend Why would allow paperwork done no one covered up Though issue after election when White House President Obama intertwined reversing intelligence agencies review And I think he just so brazen he so cocky didn’t think anyone could ever could ever shake him up And now Americans asking will someone go jail And that’s what needs happen next Somebody needs go jail misleading public area.”