Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas appeared on The Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio to discuss recent developments in trade policy, agriculture, and the ongoing political climate in Washington.

Marshall expressed strong support for President Trump’s trade agreements, highlighting their impact on Kansas industries. “Brian, I mean, we’re ecstatic, absolutely ecstatic. Every time I see the President, I’ll tell him we’re not tired of winning. But you know, who’s excited about these trade deals are my Kansas farmers and the aerospace industry. What Kansas exports are agriculture products and airplanes, and jets. So just ecstatic about these deals. The President removing these non-trade barriers all these countries, in addition to giving us basically zero types of penalties going into their country’s tariffs, but they’re also opening their markets, and they’re moving investment into America. Just this past week, I had several of the large pharma companies who make their drugs overseas, very popular, very successful [say that] they’re moving that manufacturing here, so we’re all excited about them.”

Turning to monetary policy and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s approach to interest rates, Marshall criticized Powell for acting too slowly: “I sure hope so. Jerome ‘too late’ Powell, he is too late, kind of like ‘too tall’ Jones. This is Jerome ‘too late’ Powell. He should have cut it a quarter point, some time ago, a quarter point now, half point in the future. He’s a lame duck, and I don’t know what he’s going to do. If he doesn’t drop something today, I just have to think it’s politically or emotionally motivated.”

Marshall also discussed progress related to the MAHA movement—a set of legislative efforts aimed at supporting agricultural productivity while reducing reliance on pesticides and fertilizers. He noted concerns about counterfeit pharmaceuticals from China entering U.S. markets: “Yeah, we’re making great progress. Making incredible progress. We have a group of bills that will help support that movement as well. A group of bills that’s going to make our soil healthier, help our farmers grow more with less pesticides, and with less fertilizers. The thing I’m worried about right now, which is coming to my attention Brian is China continues to make a lot of knockoffs. So for instance China is making a knockoff of a GLP-1 that they’re sending to the US that’s compounded into a pharmacy 14 people have died from that so one of my big emphases here is moving all that supply chain back to the United States It’s easier said than done.”

On U.S.-China trade relations and efforts by the Trump administration to address deficits through bilateral agreements with other nations such as those in Europe and Asia-Pacific regions—including Indonesia and Vietnam—Marshall stated: “The big picture is that with China we have a $270 billion trade deficit to address I think that people missed the calculated way that the Trump administration is doing this Basically they boxed in China Think about it They’ve done the EU They’ve done Indonesia the Philippines Vietnam Japan Australia so that by having bilateral trade agreements with them it’s putting a lot of pressure on China One other thing China does to cheat is they’ll send a bunch of T-shirts that they made or tennis shoes and they’ll send them to Vietnam and then Vietnam is getting them in at their lower tariff rate So the President is doubling up on that type of transaction to make sure that those are tarred appropriately So we absolutely are getting there To your point I’m much more concerned about fentanyl poisoning their intellectual property theft the counterfeits they make all those things But I have faith in Scott Bessent This guy is one of the sharpest people I’ve ever met.”

Regarding Senate Democrats’ actions during confirmation processes for nominations and appropriations bills—an issue affecting legislative efficiency—Marshall commented: “I think this is the big political picture here and you get this but what’s driving the Democrat Party right now is the far left Chuck Schumer is scared to death of AOC on the far left so they’re demanding he’s got to do something He’s got to do something So he’s doing everything in his power to gum up the process whether it’s nominations or appropriations bills as well He’s in a panicked mode right now and he’s lashing out slowing up what is traditionally done People that would pass with unanimous consent and take zero floor time we’re having to vote on them three times and spend two hours or more on each one of them So if they’re going keep doing that then we just need stay here August till get more these people confirmed.”

Marshall indicated willingness among Republicans to delay recess until confirmations are complete: “The Democrats secretly want all go home right That is their number one priority These people are professional politicians; they're used having all summer off And by way when go back I'm going work harder back Kansas than do here Then at same time their leader scared death can't believe he's still there Their leader hasn't been fired yet but he's scared death be primary So it's all about his political legacy right now keeping together But just have emphasize Brian yes want go home but I've done four telephone town halls up here with people back Kansas last two weeks over 5 000 people each one those calls You can go home weekends We've had significant strong events as well We could stay easily two weeks still go back accomplish mission targeting great things about Big Beautiful Bill whether biggest tax cut American history no tax tips all those types things So think can walk chew gum But what could most help people America get President Trump's nominations confirmed so can execute agenda.”

Finally addressing divisions within Democratic ranks over bipartisan legislation supporting law enforcement agencies Marshall observed: “First thing learned politically up here when your opponent forming circular firing squad don't hop middle them So think need give rope can this This kind takes us back talking earlier far left Democrat Party tail wagging dog Here Cory Booker running president right He's trying reach primary base saying most radical progressive person up here That's what doing right there And again party won't stop digging They're hole They have no respect law order They just keep digging digging These bills she's proposing bipartisan stronger law order support police He's out there still shouting like mayor candidate New York wants defund police So think this all political They're more interested running president Cory Booker Then here you Amy Klobuchar who's one most moderate Democrats level-headed people up here And honest just been joy get know work her We're bipartisan prayer breakfast together It's something you'll never see but she gave just an incredible lesson us today about life our bipartisan prayer breakfast.”

Senator Marshall emphasized ongoing engagement with constituents through regular town halls held virtually.