From the office of Sen. Roger Marshall

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., outlined several legislative priorities and criticized federal health agencies in his weekly newsletter dated Sept. 19, 2025.

Marshall reported he introduced legislation to help troops access healthier food, bolster manufacturing in Kansas and expand access to rural healthcare and chronic health treatment during a busy week in Washington.

The senator participated in a contentious Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing featuring former CDC Director Susan Monarez. Marshall said he told Monarez that the CDC caused vaccine hesitancy and accused the agency of lying to Americans during COVID-19. He argued that missteps around vaccine mandates, mask mandates and lockdowns damaged public trust in health institutions.

Marshall appeared on CNN and Newsmax to discuss his criticism of the CDC and explained his views on declining trust in the agency. He said the Trump administration and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should work to restore trust in health institutions through transparency and honesty.

The senator joined Kennedy and other medical experts for a Long COVID panel discussion at HHS. Marshall said Long COVID has been ignored and affects millions of Americans with symptoms including exhaustion, weakness and prolonged pain. He criticized the previous administration for failing to research treatment options.

Marshall delivered remarks on the Senate floor commemorating Charlie Kirk's life and impact. He praised Kirk as someone who championed free speech and individual liberty while fostering genuine dialogue amid division.

The senator introduced bipartisan legislation with Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., to implement healthier food options at military bases through the Commissary Healthy Options and Servicemember Wellness Act. The measure would create a pilot program providing service members monthly credits for healthy food at base commissaries.

Marshall also joined Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, in introducing the Resilient Tire Supply and Jobs Act to incentivize adoption of American-made, domestically retreaded tires and reduce reliance on low-quality imports.

The senator praised FDA action to expand non-opioid pain treatments following bipartisan efforts to elevate the issue. He also applauded the Trump administration's $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program and McDonald's $200 million investment in regenerative ranching practices.

Marshall noted that Taiwan committed to $10 billion in U.S. agriculture purchases over four years, including soybeans, corn, wheat and beef, calling it a major win for American farmers.

This summary is based on Sen. Marshall's Sept. 19, 2025, newsletter.