Joco Today

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 claimed that progressive members of Congress and media outlets have influenced Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s actions.

“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,” Marshall said. He argued that Schumer is responding to pressure from progressive Democrats in the House, particularly Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), and is concerned about potential primary challenges within his party.

Marshall stated, “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.”

He referenced comments made by other Republicans: “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 also discussed what he described as a shift in Democratic priorities: “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.”

On AOC's influence in Senate discussions, Marshall said: “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...I think that all caught her eye like, Oh my gosh, this truly, truly is political. It’s about Chuck Schumer’s political life. It’s about the cannibalization of the Democrat Party by AOC, and again, that left leading liberal media.”

Marshall accused Democrats of using healthcare policy as leverage during negotiations: “Yeah...that’s why it’s amazing to see Chuck Schumer cave to her. Look...they’ve taken this hostage of these Covid-era subsidies...But that is wrought with fraud; that this program of theirs...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 toting 90% of the bill right now. We should be talking about how to get those premiums down...the Republicans have a plan.”

Discussing broader issues in healthcare costs and regulation Marshall added: “So actually...healthcare costs are up 400% over the last couple of decades...Obamacare did [was] create overregulation...every state has two or three insurance companies...[and] hospital systems...three [pharmacy benefit managers] controlling 90% of drugs.

“So this overregulation has killed competition...it’s killed innovation. There’s no transparency. Our signature bill this year is a Price Tags Bill...” He explained this legislation would require facilities to show patients prices before procedures.

Marshall identified chronic diseases as key drivers for healthcare spending: “So…the other problem we have…is affordable access to primary care…seven chronic diseases…drive 90% of [healthcare] spend…”

Greta Van Susteren suggested providing weight loss drugs at no cost could help reduce chronic disease rates but Marshall responded: “I’m not going to go there. Free drugs for everybody… I’d rather address their true root…we have a nutrition problem in this country…a lifestyle problem…”

He outlined potential solutions for healthcare reform: “Let’s go back to our fixes for healthcare prices…the cost…Anything that makes healthcare more transparent…promotes innovation…turns patients back into consumers…We talked about our transparency bill…then…I think we should talk about healthcare savings accounts…and allowing patients to use that money for direct primary care…”

Regarding current budget negotiations in Congress he noted: “Yeah…the negotiation is going on in Appropriations Committee…” When asked if funding decisions were imminent Marshall replied: “But I think if they would give us two months Senator Collins can finish…the job…She has 90% of funding done…”

Marshall criticized Schumer for stalling appropriations bills from reaching a floor vote: “So yes we could bring them…but…the ones not brought…are because Chuck Schumer is being an obstructionist….he has his marching orders. Do whatever you can obstruct President Trump.” Asked who gave those orders he replied: “You bet – AOC,the Squad,and don’t forget liberal left media.”