Sunflower State News

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) appeared on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria to discuss several current issues, including the death of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, government funding debates in Congress, and concerns from Kansas constituents.

Addressing the recent death of Charlie Kirk, Marshall said, “Cheryl, I think we’re all just mourning this horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk. And you just can’t overstate how important he was to Gen Z’s and millennials, young conservatives, that he was the pied piper. You know, back in my office, it’s more than just flags at half mast. This is probably impacted them more than anything since I’ve been a senator. Everyone across the country, youngsters reaching out to us and saying, What is going on here?”

Marshall also commented on the circulation of video footage related to Kirk’s assassination: “Cheryl, you know this is one of the reasons we have this epidemic of mental illness among our children, because of what they’re seeing. But my advice, first of all, if you haven’t watched this video, don’t. I purposely have not watched it; let’s not glorify and give this killer any type of credit for that as well.

“But these companies should have some self-respect, too. They know how to turn this off as well. I don’t believe that their filters are going to work when Meta says that as well. And you’re right, we do have some legislation that would put some guardrails around what can be done, especially with young children or young adults, I should say.”

Turning to federal budget negotiations and potential government shutdowns in Congress led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Marshall said: “Chuck Schumer is the overlord of obstruction. He took another hostage yesterday in the battle keeping the government open. The latest hostage are the ACA subsidies. Look, this is a $40 billion a year tax that Americans are paying for to subsidize people making maybe 400% of the poverty level as well. So… he’s fighting for his political life. He knows he’s going to have to face a tough re-election. He’s going to get primaried all those types of things, but his goal is to shut the government down, and Republicans are going to do everything to work towards a balanced budget but keep the government.”

Discussing timelines for passing budget bills and ongoing partisan divisions in Congress over spending measures required for continued government operations: “As a Conservative, I want to spend the least money possible. In my opinion a CR probably would be one way to do it. But this gives Chuck Schumer one more chance to hold things up, to gum things up. Every time we get to one of these deadlines he’ll take another hostage as well which ends up costing us money. And remember people don’t get this but it takes 60 votes in the Senate to pass this spending bill. We have 53 Republicans; some of them are going have come across aisle and vote with us if we’re going keep government.”

On national debt concerns and federal budgeting practices Marshall stated: “This is one reason that interest rates are still high and we’re still spending like drunken sailors...we’re going spend $2 trillion more than we take in this year $2 trillion and this why for past two years I’ve been working on budget policy that would close loopholes...Congress has not done meaningful budget in decades so what our legislation does would close all these legislative loopholes they use avoid that...How can you balance Federal government's budget until you actually have a budget? That’s step number one for Congress.”

Marshall also outlined economic conditions affecting Kansas residents noting mixed performance across agricultural sectors such as cattle compared with wheat or corn while highlighting increased manufacturing jobs returning home: “I think it’s jobs it’s economy...Cattle is doing great back home but maybe my wheat corn not as well oil prices down little bit as well so kind mixed economy little bit uncertainty out there as well but lots manufacturing jobs coming back Kansas what seeing but can’t find enough people for jobs that we have.”

Finally regarding immigration enforcement policy he affirmed support for border security measures implemented under former President Donald Trump stating: “So no amnesty we’re going follow President Trump’s lead there’s right way wrong way do this number one secured border thanks President Trump we've secured border so now can conversation very broken immigration system but long there's no amnesty I'm very willing work on address problem do lack people jobs have.”