Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas appeared on Fox Business’ “Mornings with Maria” on Monday to discuss ongoing budget negotiations, the potential for a government shutdown, recent crypto legislation, and a report related to Russia misinformation.

During the interview, Senator Marshall commented on the progress of budget bills in the Senate. He said that if the bills fail to advance, responsibility would fall on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “Good morning to you. I’m on my way to Chief summer camp, so it’s an exciting day for me. But how this is going to play out the rest of this week… We need to get these bills across the Senate floor, and if they don’t, we can pin the tail on Chuck Schumer. The bills that we’re considering this week, think about agriculture, military construction, and VA, have passed out of committee by supermajority margins. Susan Collins is the Appropriations Chairwoman of that Committee. She’s done a wonderful job getting bipartisan support.

“So, think about the federal government’s discretionary spending. There are 12 buckets. We’re going to try to get three of them across the floor. The Agriculture Committee appropriations came out 27 to zero. So, the only way that these don’t get across the finish line is if Chuck Schumer stops it from happening.”

On concerns about a possible government shutdown, Marshall highlighted efforts in Congress to return discretionary spending levels closer to those seen before 2020 and noted bipartisan cooperation in appropriations work led by Senator Susan Collins: “Well, Cheryl, that’s why we have an amendment process. That’s why we need to play this out in front of the American people. But again, I’m going to compliment Senator Collins, and that she went back to pre-pandemic spending levels. This is the least amount of money we spent on discretionary spending since 2019, adjusted for inflation, so she’s doing a great job.

“One other great thing I want to talk about here is going back to two years ago, Senator Collins was able to separate this parity between defense spending and non-defense discretionary spending.

“So, for years, if the Republicans asked for more spending for defense, then the Democrats asked for more spending for their social programs, so we’ve been able to separate them. Look, this bill is not perfect, but it has huge bipartisan support. It’s the next step in going back to balancing the budget. We did the One Big Beautiful Bill; I think that grows the economy. I think our discretionary spending is going down in this particular case. So these are great steps. We did a rescission package. More of those to come. So long-term let’s think about our goal here; long-term our goal is get back towards a balanced budget.”

Discussing crypto legislation aimed at addressing money laundering concerns linked with digital currencies and illicit activities such as fentanyl trafficking via international cartels and organized crime groups like Chinese triads (Chinese mafia), Marshall stated: “I think most importantly is Congress is now addressing the issue of my concerns about money laundering; that GENIUS Act was passed. And again compliments Senator Bill Hagerty Cynthia Lummis and others Tim Scott on getting this GENIUS Act passed so I think it’s a great first step in protecting us from money laundering.

“You know I think it’s important where I was coming from Becoming a Senator elected in 2020 as I talked more and more CIA agents national security people one their top three concerns was always money laundering how crypto was being used And then you think about fentanyl poisoning What happens cartels bring drugs across border but then Chinese triad Chinese version mafia would then money launder it with crypto

“So still have concerns about crypto GENIUS Act moving right direction Previously under Joe Biden he refused take issue up Thanks again President Trump being leader Senate leadership Senator Thune again bringing us front didn’t think ever get bill passed but President Trump pushing got across finish line too.”

Marshall also addressed recent developments concerning allegations around Russia disinformation during previous presidential administrations: “Wow there’s lot unravel there but remember Obama never thought Trump could win They never thought anyone would go back uncover paperwork I think Obama White House true threat democracy Think psychological projection That what Democrat Party now That one reasons they have such low low approval ratings psychological projection So years they’ve been saying President Trump threat but now understand Obama actually involved this

“You know they lied us COVID lied us Biden health lied us FISA report Russia Russia Russia lied us Hunter laptop So threat democracy They continue psychological projection accusing others what they’ve been doing

“And sat there thought about weekend Why would allow paperwork done no one covered up Though issue after election when White House President Obama intertwined reversing intelligence agencies review And think just brazen cocky didn’t think anyone could ever could ever shake him up And now Americans asking will someone go jail And what needs happen next Somebody needs go jail misleading public area.”