Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., recently appeared on KWCH to discuss his plans for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. The senator will be hosting Kansas Gold Star families in Washington, D.C. for the First Division Monument expansion rededication ceremony.

In addition to this, Senator Marshall discussed the newly released Farm Bill Framework by Senate Democrats and recent crime roundtables he has hosted in Kansas with law enforcement officers and local officials. These meetings were held to better understand the rise of fentanyl use, human trafficking, and other crime trends within their communities.

During his interview, Senator Marshall spoke about Gold Star families: "Gold Star families are families who lost a loved one, who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country keeping us all free," he said. He added that Fort Riley is home to the Big Red One, the First Infantry Division. "Just outside the White House between the White House and the Washington Monument is the Big Red One First Infantry Division monument."

The monument bears over 12,000 names of soldiers from the First Infantry Division who made the ultimate sacrifice. "So this Sunday, Memorial weekend, we’re adding 631 names," Senator Marshall said. These are Gold Star family members whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice since 1995.

Regarding the Farm Bill framework release and need to put Farm back in the Farm Bill, Senator Marshall expressed concerns about crop insurance: “You know that hail damage last night, the winds... I’m sure damaged a large number of crops." He explained that crop insurance allows farmers to plant next year’s crop without making any profit from it.

Senator Marshall also mentioned ongoing negotiations with Senator Stabenow about funding for crop insurance: “We’re trying to convince Senator Stabenow that crop insurance is indeed important." He stated that while funding for nutrition programs has doubled due to inflation impacting farmers and falling commodity prices, there's a need to increase crop insurance slightly.

He concluded his remarks by expressing doubts about the Farm Bill's completion this year due to significant differences between parties. However, he stressed the importance of getting it right: “It’s a five year program. We’ve got to get it right. I’m not going to do a bad Farm Bill."