Marshall calls border situation a crisis, remains open to possible Senate run

WASHINGTON — Ahead of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday, Kansas First District Congressman Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) shared his thoughts on the state of politics and whether he thinks he might run for the vacant Kansas Senate seat in 2020.

Marshall, speaking via conference call says he’s considering a Senate run, but stopped short of committing to it, noting he has the full support of his wife.

In the meantime, Marshall says it’s time for the Democrats to negotiate a deal with President Trump to secure funding for a border wall. Marshall says he’s unsure if he’d fully support President Trump declaring a state of emergency to fund a barrier at the southern border.

President Trump has asked for $5.7 billion dollars for national security purposes and believes there is a number that both sides can get to for a negotiation to work. Marshall says it would be a good starting point in what the Department of Homeland Security says would likely cost $15 billion to effectively secure the border to Marshall’s liking.

Marshall was also asked about his stance on the U.S. withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, commonly known as the INF Treaty. The treaty had been in place since President Ronald Reagan and former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev signed it in 1988, essentially ending the Cold War.

Congressman Marshall told reporters he supports the Trump administration’s decision which was announced by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week. Russia withdrew the next day. Marshall says he believes it will put indirect pressure on North Korea by allowing the U.S. to have more offensive arms closer to North Korea.

Marshall on Fox News Monday said he’s been to the border and “knows a crisis when he sees it,” referring to the need he says to address the housing and feeding of over 40,000 people who have illegally crossed into the U.S. (See below video)

It’s time for Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats to negotiate with President Trump so we can keep our country safe and moving forward! I am standing with @realDonaldTrump, we must secure our border.https://t.co/SVvaNhpBB7

— Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) February 4, 2019