Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas appeared on Newsmax to discuss ongoing government shutdown negotiations and the White House's efforts to reduce drug prices.

During the interview, Senator Marshall referred to the current government shutdown as a political issue driven by divisions within the Democratic Party. He stated, “Well, wake up, America. Day number two, Schumer Shutdown. Or maybe we should call this the AOC Shutdown, it sounds like. I don’t know if you saw Nancy Pelosi bristle when they asked her about the AOC’s involvement in this, but, really, this is a political shutdown. Chuck Schumer is bowing to his far left, that vocal, vocal, screaming, yelling, far left of his party. There’s no way this gets fixed until next week.

“I think that Chuck Schumer has got to figure out when will his political base, so to speak, his far left, is running that party, when are they going to say enough of this, and realize that he’s being blamed for this because this is squarely on his back. The Democrats voted against opening the government so that it’s on their back.”

When asked about potential deals being discussed in Congress and whether he would support them, Marshall said: “Well, look, I think we need to keep these issues separate. A funding deal is totally separate than the policy issue here. On this Obama era, Biden era funding issue right now, we need to realize that fraught with fraud. This has grown to $150 billion a year boondoggle, basically aid for big corporations, insurance companies.

“And we think that there’s probably 30 to $50 billion a year of fraud in that, and it’s not that’s not going to be fixed in a day or two. So we got to fix the fraud number one. At the end of the day we I think that we will continue the Obama era funding for this, the subsidies, but the Covid era subsidies, I think those are what we need to be talking about.”

Marshall also addressed how mainstream media have questioned Democratic strategies regarding budget negotiations: “Absolutely, and just remind people that the Appropriations Committee under Susan Collins’ leadership has appropriated 90% of the funding for the federal government through the committee right now. And what we want to do is do this through that particular order where the Appropriations Committee passes budgets in the light of day. They come to the floor and we vote on them. We make amendments.

“But Chuck Schumer wants to negotiate the funding in a dark corner. He wants to do business as usual where he gets together with Speaker of House [and] President of United States and he cuts a deal that suits him and his bridge is nowhere... The House has done its job... So we're this close... from getting all that funding across finish line.”

On drug pricing reforms announced by White House officials recently aimed at lowering prescription costs for Americans living with chronic illnesses—a concern shared by many constituents—Marshall said: “Yeah well certainly 70% Americans have chronic disease large number those are prescription drug when talk folks back home one their biggest concerns cost prescription drugs course it's because there's much out pocket For decades now PBMs pharmacy benefit managers have dominated scene They're taking 50% more every dollar They're running community pharmacists out business

“So what this is going do – Trump RX – drive down prescription drug prices We're so blessed miracle drugs out there We have greatest innovators world but this make them more affordable It's force European countries start paying their fair share as well It's kind down weeds but I think ultimately bring cost prescription drugs down But at same time let's not forget America very sick 70% us have chronic disease need go back take look our lifestyles our diet water we're drinking those types things as well.”