Sunflower State News

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) appeared on Newsmax with Todd Starnes to discuss current legislative challenges, including the federal funding deadline and calls for increased transparency at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The interview focused on Senate dynamics, budget negotiations, and public health policy.

Marshall criticized Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, stating: “President Trump is spot on there. Look, Chuck Schumer is the overlord of obstruction. He wakes up every morning, and he’s running for his political life. He’s looking at AOC over his shoulder, and he asks himself, What can I do to mess with President Trump today? Well, this month, it’s trying to shut down the government. So that’s his goal. You know, my challenge up here, our challenge is, how do we work towards a balanced budget but keep the government open at the same time, and I have confidence we’ll do that. But this is all about can we outmaneuver Chuck Schumer here as he tries to obstruct the Trump agenda.”

On delays in confirming presidential appointments in the Senate, Marshall said: “Yeah, you’re spot on here. This is more of the obstruction by Chuck Schumer. That President Trump has confirmed maybe half the number compared to previous presidents at this point in time, by something we call unanimous consent. So, we’ve had to stay late at night, work weekends. We’re very willing to do that. But we can’t keep this up. The Democrats are forcing us to make a rule change here in the Senate. We’re going to be presenting that to the American public by the end of this week, the first of next week, to be able to crunch down the amount of debate time on the Senate floor. I won’t bore you. We’ll have to get 10 lawyers in here to explain it to me even. But we’re going find a way to get this done and allow us to move on. And again,the Democrats are forcing us todo this.We’d like todo things on a bipartisan basis.But again Chuck Schumer looking over his shoulder worried about his next election.”

Regarding efforts by Republicans toward keeping government operations funded ahead of looming deadlines—where passage requires 60 votes in most cases—Marshall stated: “I think you’re seeing that every day,and John Thune is leading that fight,and I just wish you could see how hard he is fighting up here for the American public as well.But unfortunately,on theside side for most things,it takes 60 votes.Regard lessof what you wantto doorhowyou wantto spinthis,it’ sgoingto take 60votes togetsome typeofbudgetacross thesenatefloor.So,we havetofind awaytoworkwiththemaswell.They ’relickingtheirwoundsrightnow.They don’thaveanyleadership.Theydon’thaveaplan,sothey ’redoingeverythingtheycan.Andthenextthingtheyd oistrytoobstructusisthis,butIcanassureyou,we ’reuphereworkingourtails off,fightingforPresidentTrump’sagenda.”

Discussing CDC policies related to recent disease outbreaks such as monkeypox and vaccination schedules for children,“Justtosettherecordstraightonmonkeypox,thisisasexuallytransmitteddisease.Andjustacoupleofyearsago,theCDCtriedtoscareus ,thinking,everybodyinthecountryneedstogetamonkeypoxvaccinenow,buttheydidn’tbothertotellyouthatthisisadisease ,basically ,ofhomosexualmen.Itisjustthatveryverysimple.AndmypointwasinthecontextofsomeofthesepeoplewhohaveresignedalongwithDr.MonarezattheCDC ,whowerethepeoplewhowerepushingthatagendacoupleofyearsago.ThisiswhySecretaryKennedyisouttheresaying:look,weneedtransparencyoutoftheCDC.Weneedleadershipthere.It’sgoingtofocustellingtheAmericanstherestofthestory,thewholestoryrightnow,andmostofusdon’thavetoworryaboutmonkeypox.”

On vaccine spending and requirements,“Exactly.So,we ’respending$8billionayearonvaccinations.We ’reforcingourkidstoget76jabsbythetime they ’reabletovote.Andallwe ’reaskingistosay ,look ,let’swaitasecond .Whatarealltheinteractionsofthis ?Why ?Whydosaone-day-oldneedaHepatitisBvaccination ?WhenItestedhismom,andyoumentionedI’madoctor,I deliverbabies,I’vealreadytestedhismom.She’sinastablerelationship.She’snotdoingIVdrugs;thisbabyhaszerochanceofhavingHepatitis .Whyarewegivingthatvaccinationatonedayofage ?Andthat’sthetransparency.IthinkSecretaryKennedywantsoutoftheCDCtobeabletosharethatinformationwithparents,sothattheparentsthedoctorcanmakethisdecisiontogether.Ithinkthat’swhyshew asletgo ,thatshewasn’tsharingthatsamemission ,thatsamemissionoftransparency.”