Sunflower State News

On Thursday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas appeared on Newsmax's "The Record with Greta Van Susteren" to discuss the ongoing government shutdown, which he referred to as the "Schumer Shutdown." During the interview, Marshall attributed responsibility for the shutdown to progressive members of Congress and media influences.

“Well, I think we’re on day number two of the Schumer shutdown. This is a political shutdown driven by AOC, the Squad, and the liberal media,” said Marshall in response to questions from Van Susteren about his view on who was driving the current situation.

When asked why he believed Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) was influencing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer despite her being in the House of Representatives, Marshall responded: “Yeah, all the above. So certainly he’s worried about a primary. I think the bigger picture, he’s afraid that she’s about to hijack the entire party. The liberal media has empowered her, the Squad, and these talking points, and they’re trying to pull their whole party hard, hard to the left. And the only thing Chuck Schumer had left to do was to respond to that and shut the government down.

“So they’ve taken the hostages, as Congressman Scalise said, they’ve taken the hostages, these health care credits, these Covid-era subsidies, and now they’re wanting him to shoot the hostage.”

Marshall commented further on why he believes Schumer is under political pressure: “You got it, and all you have to do is just go back to the decades of history of him saying how we should never shut the government down. That’s very contrary to what he believes. Democrats wake up in the morning thinking about spending more money, not to shut the government down. It’s very antithetical to what they want to be doing.”

Addressing AOC's influence within Senate deliberations directly: “Yeah, so I think it’s none. Her name never comes up. No one ever says, well, what does AOC think about this? You know, you’ll have thought leaders in different areas. But I think when we saw Nancy Pelosi bristle yesterday... she reacted when a reporter asked her about AOC’s comments... that all caught her eye like Oh my gosh... It’s about Chuck Schumer’s political life. It’s about cannibalization of Democrat Party by AOC...”

Discussing healthcare policy amid negotiations over funding measures during this period of divided government control—where federal budget deadlines have previously led both parties into similar standoffs—Marshall criticized pandemic-era healthcare subsidies for increasing costs and fraud risk: “Yeah...that’s why it’s amazing to see Chuck Schumer cave...they’ve taken this hostage of these Covid-era subsidies....that program...grew from $50 billion a year to $150 billion a year.

“And we think a third of that is fraud, waste and abuse...the premiums are going up 20% this year...the federal government is paying 90% right now....We should be talking about how get those premiums down; Republicans have a plan.”

He also discussed structural issues with American healthcare costs: “So actually…healthcare costs are up 400% over last couple decades….Obamacare did was create overregulation…every state has two or three insurance companies…pharmacy benefit managers…controlling 90% drugs….This overregulation has killed competition…and innovation….Our signature bill this year is Price Tags Bill [for] hospitals…to show patients price before procedures…”

Marshall identified chronic disease management as central for affordability: “So…the other problem…affordable access primary care.…seven chronic diseases drive 90% spend on health care….heart disease hypertension obesity diabetes Alzheimer’s…”

Responding during discussion on weight loss drugs such as Ozempic potentially being offered at no cost as an approach for public health savings—an idea floated by Van Susteren—Marshall replied: “I’m not going there….I’d rather address true root…the problem that we have nutrition problem…and lifestyle problem…it’s combination poor nutrition exposure toxins driving dilemma.”

He then described some proposed reforms: “Let’s go back fixes for healthcare prices…the cost.…Anything makes healthcare more transparent promotes innovation turns patients back into consumers—we need more competition not less.…transparency bill…healthcare savings accounts expanding them allowing patients pay direct primary care....signature bills transfer more transparency more HSAs.”

Regarding legislative negotiations over appropriations bills necessary for reopening agencies if no deal reached soon—Marshall explained ongoing committee work led by Senator Susan Collins but accused Majority Leader Schumer of obstructing open debate:

“Yeah negotiation going on Appropriations Committee…”

“I would suppose so…it’s hard say day day…but know Senator Susan Collins…and Appropriations Committee working their tails off.”

“But…I think if would give us two months Senator Collins can finish job…She has 90% funding done.…Chuck Schumer wants go into back closet negotiate deal himself President Trump.…We want do openly.…bring floor.…That where negotiations should happening spending bill.”

Finally discussing process delays:

“So we went at record speed…for decades never gone fast.…90% funding done Appropriations Committee Three those bills passed finish line floor So yes could bring them floor but ones not brought floor because Chuck Schumer being obstructionist He wants slow America First agenda…and course his marching orders Do whatever can obstruct President Trump.”

“His marching orders from AOC?”

“You bet – AOC,the Squad,and don’t forget liberal left media.”