Constituents direct questions to Senator Roger Marshall at town hall, which he leaves early
Oakley, Kan. (KWCH) - A Saturday town hall in the northwest Kansas community of Oakley ended early, as Senator Roger Marshall (R) cut it short.
He said, “We don’t have time for everybody to stand up. I do have two more commitments today. Appreciate everybody making the drive out and God Bless America, thank you.”
As he left, people in the background said he was leaving earlier than the promised hour.
Constituents from northwest Kansas and throughout the state came to be able to speak with the Senator face to face, get their questions answered and express concerns about what they’re seeing on the federal level.
The town hall was not widely promoted ahead of time, but information about it was shared on social media.
Senator Marshall’s town hall was held at the Logan County Hospital. High Plains Public Radio reported the room that was meant to fit 20 people, saw more than double that.
Videos shared with 12News showed Senator Marshall started by pointing to and reflecting President Eisenhower. He said he would take questions from people from Oakley and the local area, and early on, he threatened to leave, telling the people there were being rude.
One of the early questions asked was if Russia invaded Ukraine but didn’t answer that directly. Sen. Marshall said he had empathy and comion for the people of Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “blood-thirsty war criminal.” Sen. Marshall also said Europe should step up to Ukraine and resolve this, and he doesn’t want war or expanded conflict. He said that the U.S. has done enough.
He then went on to take questions and talk about the Farm Bill and rural development.
Sen. Marshall also talked about the cuts to USAID and transferring the Food for Peace to USDA. He claimed that aid has been shipped to corrupt governments and criminals.
Questions about the Department of Government Efficiency were asked, and people asked where the oversight and vetting are for the actions taken. Sen. Marshall said this effort is to address fraud and waste.
Other topics included veterans, Medicaid and healthcare. Attendees expressed concerns about federal cuts impacting programs and efforts around these areas.
Those in attendance at times clashed with the Senator’s responses and stances.
One of the videos shared with us by a viewer shows a man addressing Sen. Marshall directly, talking about his family’s history in America and military service, expressing concerns about unintended consequences of the actions being taken.
“I the veterans, but what you’re doing right now, what the government is doing right now is as far as cutting out those jobs, a huge percentage of those people - and I know you care about the veterans - are veteran and that is is damn shame. That is a damage shame.”
Shortly after, Senator Marshall abruptly left. According to those in attendance, about 20 minutes before the hour-long town hall was supposed to end.
Brent Robertson, Senator Marshall’s Chief of Staff, provided 12News with the following statement Saturday night.
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