Roger Marshall
Senator for Kansas · Republican · United States
“So it is like we agree, but he disagrees with the final step here: We want patients to know what that negotiated price is. A real example: Getting a hip replaced at a surgical hospital might cost $15,000 or $20,000, but at the hospital down the street, it might be $150,000. The same way with an x ray.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, thanks for letting us come to the floor, and I do appreciate my colleague Senator Bill Cassidy being here with me today as well.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“And one of the big drivers of that cost is healthcare, health insurance. We have seen it go from 13 percent up to 18 percent of GDP. We have seen the cost of healthcare for a family go from maybe $500 a month a decade or two ago and now it is probably over $2,000 a month.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I certainly want to echo my gratitude to my colleague Senator Hickenlooper for his help with this bill and his staff and my staff and the HELP Committee staff as well, all of the work they have done on this bill--bill that will bring immediate relief to everybody across the country.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, certainly I agree on many of the points my colleague made, and certainly I am in favor of expanding association healthcare plans. The goal of that is more competition, and that is all we are trying to create. My colleague says this won't work, but transparency works in every other industry.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“And, again, despite scientist after scientist, President after President, warning Anthony Fauci to stop doing this research, he persisted and he persisted and he persisted, until finally COVID-19 was accidentally released from a lab in Wuhan, China. And the rest is history.”
Senate5 August 2026Source ↗
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“So it is like we agree, but he disagrees with the final step here: We want patients to know what that negotiated price is. A real example: Getting a hip replaced at a surgical hospital might cost $15,000 or $20,000, but at the hospital down the street, it might be $150,000. The same way with an x ray. Going to the hospital, you know, the x ray--the MRI might be $3,000 there but $300 down at the imaging center. So I agree that those prices have been negotiated, but I want to make sure it is in the hands of the consumers. Could you imagine driving down the street and gas stations--you didn't know how much the gas was going to be? Of course you wouldn't be able to make a good consumer choice. So that is all we are asking, is full transparency in healthcare just like in every other industry. I yield the floor. ____________________”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, certainly I agree on many of the points my colleague made, and certainly I am in favor of expanding association healthcare plans. The goal of that is more competition, and that is all we are trying to create. My colleague says this won't work, but transparency works in every other industry. I think it is well documented that our bill would save $1,000 per month. Here is the big fallacy in his argument. He is right that the insurance companies have negotiated these rates. So within one community, this insurance company has negotiated one rate with a surgery center, one rate with the hospital, one rate with an imaging center. So all I say is the patient deserves to see what that negotiated rate is, and then they can compare it.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I certainly want to echo my gratitude to my colleague Senator Hickenlooper for his help with this bill and his staff and my staff and the HELP Committee staff as well, all of the work they have done on this bill--bill that will bring immediate relief to everybody across the country. Real examples: An MRI of your knee might be, in one place, $300, and in another one, it might be $3,000. A hip replacement in one facility might be $15,000 but $150,000 in another location. We are not making those numbers up; that is the discrepancy you are going to hear about. Look, patients deserve pricetags. Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 522, S.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“I will stop there, and I will yield to my colleague from Louisiana.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“And one of the big drivers of that cost is healthcare, health insurance. We have seen it go from 13 percent up to 18 percent of GDP. We have seen the cost of healthcare for a family go from maybe $500 a month a decade or two ago and now it is probably over $2,000 a month. So certainly the cost of healthcare, in so many ways, is driving inflation. This matters. It matters to the patients. It matters to the employers that are paying for the health insurance or a big portion of it. It matters to the Federal Government. If you are trying to balance the budget, if we could get the cost of healthcare under control, that would help us get toward a balanced budget. I mean, my goodness, it is a $7 trillion budget. Maybe $2 trillion, two-sevenths of our Federal budget, is on healthcare.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, thanks for letting us come to the floor, and I do appreciate my colleague Senator Bill Cassidy being here with me today as well. Could you imagine you are in the market and you need a new car, you need a new truck, and you really need it badly--you don't have a way to get to and from work--so you get online and you look at the different models out there and be expected to make a purchase without knowing what the cost of that truck or that car was? Well, that is the way healthcare is right now. We expect consumers to have all the healthcare delivered to them, and months later they get a bill for it. We think that patients deserve pricetags just like consumers do in every other form of business. You think about the challenges of America today. Certainly the cost of living is upfront, and it is personal.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that myself, Senator Cassidy, and Senator Paul be permitted to speak prior to the scheduled recess.”
Senate23 September 2026Source ↗
“Think about this: This virus alone has exponentially been more lethal than all the years of nuclear weapons. This bill does one simple thing: It stops Federal tax dollars from funding the kind of research that could turn a virus into a weapon--no more offshoring risks to avoid oversight, no more asking permission from the very Agencies that created the problem. Mr. President, that is why today, as if in legislative session and notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions be discharged from further consideration of S. 738 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; further, that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.”
Senate5 August 2026Source ↗
“And, again, despite scientist after scientist, President after President, warning Anthony Fauci to stop doing this research, he persisted and he persisted and he persisted, until finally COVID-19 was accidentally released from a lab in Wuhan, China. And the rest is history. And that is why I think it is so important that we stop the funding for this once and for all. Let's codify what the President has done here and make sure--at least until someone can come to this Congress and say: Look, we have a foolproof system for keeping this in control. But when you are making monster viruses, the worst-case scenario is probably some type of terrorism; that it would be so easy, once these are made, to be replicated and turned into a terrorist weapon--much more of a serious consequential threat to America than nuclear warheads are.”
Senate5 August 2026Source ↗
“But, of course, the downside was always the fear of risk of a virus they made in a laboratory, of it escaping. And, of course, why wouldn't there be? Multiple times in history, viruses, microorganisms have escaped from laboratories. It is practically impossible to control it. In 1978, a smallpox virus escaped from a lab in the United Kingdom. In 2007, foot-and-mouth virus accidently released from a United Kingdom lab. In 2014, the CDC had an anthrax issue. Again, in 2014, NIH-FDA, there were unsecured smallpox vials seen. These mice they were doing experiments on and infecting them with these monster viruses, from time to time, escaped. So it seems like we were set up for failure.”
Senate5 August 2026Source ↗
“Even President Obama asked him to stop doing viral gain-of-function research, but, of course, Anthony Fauci had more attorneys than Carter has pills, and they always found some loophole. Then, when they couldn't do it here, he offshored the funding of this. Make no mistake about it, the United States was funding viral gain- of-function research for decades. This was Anthony Fauci's baby. He thought that this was his ticket to a Nobel Prize. You know, whether you are a physician, like myself, or a mom or dad or a businessperson, a military officer, you always had to sit there and weigh the benefits and the risks of something like this. I mean, what the benefits are, I am not sure of. You know, maybe they said it was so that if some unknown organism appeared, that we would be able to develop a vaccine.”
Senate5 August 2026Source ↗
“Maybe it was the State softball team they had been working on their whole life. We have kids that still have learning disabilities or are lagging in their learning--specifically reading--not to mention their social interactions and their social development. This COVID virus left a huge physical, economic, and emotional scar on America. And that is why I am asking that we stop this viral gain-of-function research. I am so proud that the President, recently, has agreed to stop the funding. I have been calling for the stopping of this since 2021 as well. And I think it is important to realize how Anthony Fauci evaded the intentions of Congress and the rules from his own White House.”
Senate5 August 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to ask the Senate body to join me in the stopping of the funding of viral gain-of-function research. Viral gain-of-function research is what led, of course, to the COVID virus being developed and, of course, the COVID epidemic. I think it is important to pause and stop and think why this is still important--what is it now--5 or 6 years later. We all know we lost 1 million Americans to this COVID virus. Twenty million Americans still suffer from long COVID. Many, many Americans died alone--maybe at a nursing home, maybe in their own home. But they weren't allowed to have their own children, their spouses come visit them in those last moments of their life. We had tens of millions of students miss their senior year of high school, their senior year of college. Maybe it was the State track meet.”
Senate5 August 2026Source ↗
“I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Richard Allen ``Rick'' Ball and in offering our prayers and sympathies to his family, friends, and the entire Great Bend community. ____________________”
Senate3 August 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, today we honor the life and legacy of Richard Allen ``Rick'' Ball of Great Bend, KS. Rick was a respected businessman, dedicated community leader, and devoted family man whose service left a lasting impact on those around him. For decades, Rick served the Great Bend community as a trusted certified public accountant and partner at Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball. He helped local businesses and organizations succeed through his sound advice and steady guidance.”
Senate3 August 2026Source ↗
“We are not just talking about fraud, we are finding it, prosecuting it, and putting criminals on notice that stealing from the American taxpayer has consequences. People are already being held accountable, and more need to be. Congress should build on that momentum by giving law enforcement and Federal Agencies the tools they need to keep fraudsters out of our programs and behind bars where they belong. So let's not waste this opportunity. Let's make these reforms permanent. Let's close the loopholes once and for all. Let's protect the taxpayers who fund the government. Let's send a clear message that the era of easy money for fraudsters is over. I urge every one of our colleagues to support the Protecting American Taxpayers Act. I yield the floor.”
Senate22 July 2026Source ↗
“It claws back unused COVID funds, strengthens Treasury's fraud detection systems, extends the statute of limitations so pandemic fraudsters can't simply run out the clock. It protects our veterans from scammers. It combats emerging AI- generated fraud and gives law enforcement stronger tools to hold criminals accountable. Taken together, these reforms represent one of the strongest anti-fraud packages Congress has considered in years. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle spent years responding to every problem the same way: throwing more money at it. We believe the first question should be: Where is the fraud? Where is the waste? Where is the abuse? And how do we stop it before asking taxpayers for another dime? This administration has created real momentum for the first time in years.”
Senate22 July 2026Source ↗
“If you are remodeling your kitchen, you don't hand the contractor every penny before a single cabinet is installed. If you are hiring someone to fix your roof, you don't write the check before the work is finished. You pay after the job is done. Yet that is exactly the opposite of how Washington has too often operated. For years, the Federal Government has pushed billions of dollars out the door up front with little accountability and then acted surprised when criminals disappeared with the money. My WALZ Act simply says: Federal payments should be made as reimbursements after--after--the services have actually been provided. That one simple reform closes one of the biggest loopholes that have allowed billions of taxpayer dollars to be stolen before they ever get the chance to disappear. But this package doesn't stop there.”
Senate22 July 2026Source ↗
“This legislation finally starts closing that door. The Protecting American Taxpayers Act is projected to save taxpayers $240 billion--that is $240 billion--by preventing fraud before it happens, recovering stolen taxpayer dollars, and ensuring criminals are held accountable. It doesn't just respond to fraud after the fact; it helps stop it before another billion dollars walks out the door. One piece of this package that I am proud to see included is my WALZ Act--W-A-L-Z, the WALZ Act--named after, you guessed it, a certain Governor who allowed fraud to run rampant in his State. The idea behind it is about as simple as it gets: Don't pay first and ask questions later. Kansas families don't do business that way. Small businesses don't do business that way.”
Senate22 July 2026Source ↗
“We are already seeing what happens when the Federal Government makes fraud enforcement a priority. In one of the largest healthcare fraud takedowns in our Nation's history, Federal prosecutors charged hundreds of defendants accused of submitting more than $6 billion in fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and other taxpayer-funded health programs. And the best part? People are finally going to jail. Investigators uncovered transnational criminal organizations, fraudulent medical equipment schemes, and providers accused of billing the government for services that were never provided. These weren't bookkeeping mistakes; they were sophisticated efforts to steal billions from the American taxpayer. The truth is simple: Fraudsters follow the money, and for too long, Washington has rolled out the welcome mat.”
Senate22 July 2026Source ↗
“For the first time in a long time, Washington is shining a flashlight on the billions of taxpayer dollars disappearing through fraud, improper payments, and outright criminal activity. Now Congress has the responsibility to finish the job. The American people are asking a simple question: If Washington knows where the fraud is, why aren't we stopping it? And they are right to ask. Today, an estimated $1.4 billion is stolen from taxpayers every single day. That is money that should be strengthening our military, supporting our veterans, protecting Medicare and Social Security, or reducing the debt we are leaving to our children and our grandchildren. Instead, it is ending up in the hands of organized fraud rings, scam artists, and criminals who have learned exactly where the holes in our Federal Government are.”
Senate22 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.”
Senate22 July 2026Source ↗
“Young Americans now have a renewed hope that they can chase their own American dream. That dream was gone the last 4 or 5 years, but today, the American dream is alive and well. What does that American dream look like? Raising a family, owning a home, and building a brighter future. I think a lot of this is due to President Trump's leadership because he is delivering strength, prosperity, and opportunity to Americans. Again, 100 days--promises made, promises kept. I yield the floor.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“I would remind Americans that the Dow today is up 5 percent compared to a year ago. The NASDAQ is up almost 10 percent compared to a year ago. The trend is the right way. And I don't know about you, but I am betting on America. We have had 5 days in a row now of the Dow Jones increasing in value. That is the longest winning streak we have seen in almost a year. And who knows--maybe today will be the sixth day where we have seen the Dow go up as well. But, to me, this stock market is another example of American greatness, and I wouldn't bet against us. Look, my belief is that President Trump has declared the apology tour is over with, that we are boldly putting America and Americans first. Gone is the despair of the Biden era. Today, families are safer, life is more affordable, and traditional family values are now thriving.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“He got America out of the World Health Organization and out of the Paris climate agreement, establishing once again that he is an American-first President. But one thing I am really excited about is this economic boom we are starting to see that President Trump talked about, the $7 trillion of investment into America that has been promised, and so much of that is going to lead to good-paying manufacturing jobs, jobs with benefits, and we are seeing that already across the State of Kansas. These last 2 weeks, I was very purposeful, visiting several of our manufacturing companies, probably a dozen of them. To a company, each one was describing the increase in sales they are having, a big increase in the number of products that are wanted in the future. Why?”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Today, all across the State of Kansas, it is averaging under $2.60 a gallon. So it has dropped from $4 to $2.60 a gallon. That is a promise made and a promise kept. Well, what about groceries? you ask. Last month, we saw the smallest increase in the Consumer Price Index since the spring of 2020. Since COVID, since the start of COVID, this is the smallest increase in grocery prices we have seen. Now, it would take 30 minutes, maybe an hour, for me to talk about all of the things that President Trump has accomplished in these first 100 days, but I want to just highlight a few more. He terminated the EV mandate. He has slowed the green energy transition. He has ended boys in girls sports. Under DOGE, he has cut over $100 billion, saving American taxpayers money.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“As I travel the State and talk to law enforcement officers, to a person, they tell me that the number of violent crimes is down, that fentanyl poisoning is down. Indeed, the President's plan of securing our border has led to the health and safety of our families. President Trump promised that he would roll back regulations. To that end, of his 135 Executive orders, many have done just that--cutting redtape and saving American families some $2,000 each. Another promise made and another promise kept. President Trump said, ``We are going to drill, baby, drill''--one of my favorite expressions from his campaign, ``drill, baby, drill.'' Indeed, America once again is drilling. We have seen gasoline prices drop across America. It was common just a couple years ago under Joe Biden to see gasoline at over $4 a gallon.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“But to sum it up, what I have seen in these first 100 days is a return to American greatness--a return to American greatness. And I think I see a theme of ``promises made, promises kept'' by this President. You know, first and foremost, President Trump campaigned to secure our border. That was his top priority, to secure our border. Think about what has happened since he was sworn in. Under Joe Biden, we saw on days 10,000 people crossing our border illegally. Some days, it was 11,000. But under President Trump, we are now averaging less than 300 of those border crossings a day. We went from 10,000 a day to 300 a day. That is a promise made and a promise kept. President Trump also campaigned that he would make your families safer and more secure. To that end, he has deported 130,000 violent criminal aliens.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, this week, we honor and celebrate the 100th day of our 47th President, Donald J. Trump. I don't know about you, but it has been a blur to many of us, but I believe it has been a bold blur. As I searched over the last week to think about the words to describe these first 100 days, I think of the word ``consequential,'' that these first 100 days have been some of the most consequential we have ever seen in America's history. And I think about a vision. I think my vision is this big ship we call America, and she is slowly changing course back into the wind, and it is a good direction. At times, we have to tack into the wind, but the direction is positive. And it is exciting for me to see an 11-point surge in optimism in this country in January of this year alone.”
Senate29 April 2025Source ↗
“Additionally, Wichita ranks sixth nationally in overall hospital care quality and holds the eighth shortest wait time for existing patients seeking primary care. These distinctions reflect a city deeply committed to ensuring those in need receive the high- quality healthcare necessary. As a country, we owe a great debt to those who served, and the Dole VA and the city of Wichita are setting the standard for how that debt should be paid. I now ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and the city of Wichita for these exceptional achievements. Furthermore, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking the dedicated healthcare workforce in Wichita for their unwavering commitment to serving those who have worn the uniform. ____________________”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“The Dole VA also ranks second in the Nation for both routine specialty care access, at 95 percent, and urgent specialty care access, at 90 percent. Additionally, it holds the third-shortest wait time for new patients seeking pulmonology services. These accomplishments are a testament to the outstanding leadership and the tireless dedication of the staff at the Dole VA. The city of Wichita is also playing a vital role in providing care for our Nation's veterans, particularly in the area of mental health. Wichita ranks fifth in the Nation for access to mental health services, offering the seventh shortest average wait time for existing patients to access care--just 0.3 days--and the ninth shortest for new patients, at only 1.4 days.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“Dole VA Medical Center and city leadership in delivering accessible, high-quality, and compassionate healthcare to those who served our country. For the second year in a row, the Dole VA received the maximum 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services--a remarkable achievement that places the Dole VA in the top 8 percent of hospitals nationwide. This 5-star rating highlights the Dole VA's commitment to not only meet but exceed the standards of the healthcare industry. In addition to the 5-star rating, the Dole VA ranked first among 132 VA hospitals nationwide for access to specialty care. It offers the shortest average wait time in the country for existing patients to see a cardiologist--just 3.8 days.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President. I rise today to recognize the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center and the city of Wichita for their exceptional commitment to providing world-class healthcare to our Nation's veterans. Recently, Wichita was recognized as the top city in the Nation for veterans' healthcare. This recognition highlights the unwavering dedication of the staff of the Robert J.”
Senate28 April 2025Source ↗
“His commitment to life is further demonstrated through his service as chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As Archbishop Naumann embarks on his retirement after two decades of remarkable service to the archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, we commend him for his dedication and extend our prayers and gratitude towards him. His legacy serves as an example of what it means to be a faithful servant and follower of Christ and will have a lasting impact on Kansas for generations to come. I now ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann and in expressing our gratitude for all he has done for northeast Kansas. ____________________”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to honor the Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann for his extraordinary service and leadership. For over 20 years, Archbishop Naumann has guided the archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas with unwavering faith, wisdom, and compassion. Shepherding Catholics across 21 counties, he has fortified faith in our communities, strengthened family life, and provided generous care for the poor and underprivileged in northeast Kansas.”
Senate9 April 2025Source ↗
“If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order following the remarks of my Democratic colleagues.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 8 a.m. on Friday, April 4; that following the prayer and pledge, the morning hour be deemed expired, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate resume consideration of Calendar No. 38, H. Con. Res.”
Senate3 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. As we have learned tonight, this budget resolution is about unlocking reconciliation to secure the border and keep Americans safe. This amendment is unnecessary and delays the budgeting process. That being said, I look forward to working with the Senator from Delaware to make HHS great again. I yield the floor. Vote on Amendment No. 311”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Striking the all-powerful Agriculture Committee's reconciliation instruction will make it more difficult to pay for critical improvements for border security and our national defense. A vote for this amendment indicates the Democrats don't believe there is a single area of waste, fraud, or abuse in our Federal nutrition programs. In 2022 alone, the staff program had an overpayment rate of 10 percent, which amounts to billions of dollars in erroneous payments. Republicans will find commonsense savings in the Ag Committee's jurisdiction while ensuring we have a well-targeted, nutrition safety net for those in need. I urge a ``no'' vote. I yield the floor. Vote on Amendment No. 957”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment. As we all know by now, the purpose of this budget resolution is to unlock reconciliation so we can once again secure the border and keep America safe. I do look forward to working with the Senator from Massachusetts to prevent and better treat Alzheimer's, but the reserve funds in this instance are unnecessary and distract and delay the budgeting process. We need targeted solutions, not broad funding that doesn't directly address the immediate needs. I urge a ``no'' vote. I yield the floor. Vote on Amendment No. 911”
Senate20 February 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Hope Women's Center in Newton, KS, for their efforts in declaring January 22, 2025, as the Sanctity of Human Life Day and Respect for Life Day in Harvey County, KS. Hope Women's Center has long been a leader in promoting the sanctity of life, as they have worked tirelessly to support expectant mothers, providing them with necessary resources, care, and education.”
Senate22 January 2025Source ↗
“Mr. President, today, I rise to honor and recognize Ms. Connie Palacioz, who will be celebrating her 100th birthday today. Connie's work as a riveter for Boeing during WWII and her pivotal role in the restoration of the B-29 Superfortress ``Doc'' have left an indelible mark on the history of aviation. Her dedication and perseverance embody the values that define Kansas and our Nation, and her remarkable achievements and service to our country are certainly deserving of recognition in the Congressional Record.”
Senate16 January 2025Source ↗
“These solutions will give beltway bureaucrats fits--it will give them heartburn--but these reforms will finally put the Federal Government on notice and on a path to start working like a business. I will close with this. DOGE can help us identify and prioritize waste. So DOGE is going to help us identify and prioritize the waste, the fraud, and the mismanagement, but it is up to Congress to put their gloves on, roll up their sleeves, and get the work done. I yield the floor.”
Senate8 January 2025Source ↗