Sunflower State News

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), appeared on CBS News’ The Takeout with Major Garrett to discuss recent developments at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccine policy, and the implementation of the President’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

During the interview, Marshall addressed the leadership changes at the CDC, referencing President Trump’s selection of Bobby Kennedy Jr. as HHS director. “Well, look, I believe that President Trump selected Bobby Kennedy Jr to be his HHS director is because he’s a disruptor. And he wants us to address the true health issues in this country. Look, 60% of Americans have a chronic disease. The CDC is for chronic disease prevention. So we need to have more focus on prevention. Dr. Monerez was obviously not following that mission; she had other priorities. So I think what we’re seeing is a big change here in the CDC, and again, I hope that they get focused on helping us to prevent these chronic diseases, which are harming Americans.”

Marshall also commented on tensions between vaccine policy and chronic disease management within the CDC: “I think we need to stay focused here on the big picture that she was not cooperating with the mission, and I think part of that mission is being more transparent. You may know that I’m an OBGYN, delivered 5000 babies. I’m not sure that every baby at one day of age needs a hepatitis vaccine, which is what she’s pushing for right now. Along with not every child needs a Covid vaccine as well.

“So I think that she was not willing to tolerate some of this willingness to cooperate and to share with parents what the information that they’re looking for. So I’m sorry it didn’t work out. I made a mistake. I voted to confirm her, but she was not going along with the bigger mission here. And again, I think we need to shift the CDC away from just a vaccine clinic, but turning it into a true clinic that’s focused on preventing chronic diseases.”

On state-level changes in vaccine policy and vaccination’s role in public health outcomes, Marshall said: “Yeah, that may be a bridge too far for me personally. Look, the vaccines have saved, no doubt, millions of lives. So you think about smallpox, polio, just for starters. And some babies do need a hepatitis B vaccine, but not everyone.

“I think the challenge here, though, is one of the issues that Secretary Kennedy is trying to address is that the CDC has lost its reputation. The CDC lied to us about COVID, about the COVID vaccinations in particular. So now we don’t have confidence in them, and here’s a state that’s probably overreacting as well. I want to do everything we can to preserve and make sacred that patient-physician relationship, and I want parents to have input, and I think that’s the job of the CDC is to make sure that the patients have everything that they need there to make that good decision for their children.

“But 76 jabs is too many right now; the CDC is recommending 76 jabs before the baby is old enough to vote. I think that's just a little bit over the top. Somewhere in between. There’s got to be a sweet spot.”

Regarding specific vaccines such as those for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Marshall stated: “I am too [in favor]. I think that's one of the good ones that's been around; it's stood the test of time. I would encourage everyone to get that particular one. But again, I think we need to just be more selective again; 76 is just too many. 18 jabs in the first 18 months; I'm concerned about the interaction between those vaccinations. How is that impacting the development of that baby's immune system? And I think that's what we need the CDC and NIH to be researching.”

Marshall also spoke about calls for releasing files related to Jeffrey Epstein: “I want all papers released... these young ladies were sexually abused... every person involved should be held accountable.” He expressed support for efforts led by committee chair Jamie Comer regarding transparency.

On rebranding efforts tied to President Biden's legislative package known as One Big Beautiful Bill—which Marshall called "now law"—he said: “Maybe we should ask Cracker Barrel about that... Look... this is largest tax cut in American history... largest spending cut... great bill for small businesses... hard-working Americans... What really matters will be if this bill delivers $1k per month when fully implemented.”

Senator Marshall emphasized throughout his remarks both transparency from federal agencies like CDC and prioritizing preventive healthcare alongside treatment.