Senator Marshall: The American Economy is On the Way Up

Senator Marshall Joins CNN, The Lead with Jake Tapper

Washington - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined CNN's The Lead with Jake Tapper to discuss the State of the Union address, the state of the American economy, the cost of living for Kansans, and the situation in Iran.

Click HERE or on the image above for Senator Marshall's full interview.

On the state of the economy:

"Yeah, Jake, well, I think number one is that I do acknowledge that we're in a deep hole, that for four years under the previous administration, we had an inflation that dug us a deep hole. 50% inflation for things like health care, for housing, for child care. So it is a deep hole. There is a certain group of people, a significant number of people, typically they're younger age folks that didn't buy a house four or five years ago, and they're struggling to start that marriage off, some of those types of things. So I hope that he addresses that, that we do have a cost of living issue, and then he lays out his plan how Republicans are going to take on the cost of housing, the cost of health care, the cost of child care, and help bring everybody up to where America is truly great again for everybody. But also, you know, tonight we need to celebrate too. We need to celebrate our accomplishments, that our borders are secure, that the military has done an incredible job - record number of military accomplishments, and at the same time emphasize that income has gone up, wages have gone up some $1,400 this year over inflation. So wages are up $1,400, it's income tax time and people are going to get an extra $1,500 back. So we need to remind the people of some of the good things that are happening."

On the cost of living:

"Yeah, I think so. First of all, I agree with President Trump, the economy is doing great at the macro level. You know, we're seeing 4% or 5% GDP growth, wages are going up like I mentioned, rent has come down six months in a row now, we're at a four-year low. So there are great things happening in the economy, but this hole is so deep. I didn't realize how deep it is, but I have young kids that are struggling as well, with young kids at home. So I think we need to acknowledge that some people are struggling, that after four years of inflation it was a very deep hole and we're climbing to get out of it. So I think that President Trump needs to communicate that we're right there with you, help is on its way. Look, we got the price of gas down, utilities are coming down, interest rates are coming down, things are starting to happen. Hang in there with us, good job numbers are out there, wages are growing faster than inflation. So, you know, just like that coach needs to get in there and say, 'Look, March Madness is around the corner, we throw the previous record away. We got a good team here, let's keep moving forward.' But remember, this country was founded on hard work and sacrifice. I think we've told the younger generation there shouldn't be any hard work or sacrifice, so we all have work to do."

On the economy in Kansas:

"Well, I would disagree with that. I don't see at all that we're in a recession. I mean, I just finished a 4 corner, 50 county tour, and I don't see that recession. I see a group of people that are struggling. And again, I think that they just struggled for four years; wages did not keep up with inflation. But, I see it flipping around; I see manufacturing jobs coming home because of the tariffs, I see record trade agreements going out, China just doubled up on a purchase of soybeans, the Working Families Tax Cuts gave us a 45Z tax credit that is going to help us turn corn into jet fuel. So we're pretty bullish in Kansas."

On the situation in Iran:

"Yeah. You know, I think it's a tough situation right now. I think the ball is in Iran's court; we cannot tolerate them having nuclear weapons. I sure don't want to have any type of boots on the ground, so to speak, so if we have to have another military strike, I hope we can do it with the Air Force. Look, this is a decision for the President."

On whether a strike on Iran is worth the risks:

"You know, so I'm a physician, and I have to give recommendations to a patient. You want chemotherapy, you need chemotherapy. Do the benefits outweigh the risks? And I think the President weighed those benefits and risks. Fortunately, no one was killed; there were a couple of serious injuries. I think whenever we go into war, we have to go in there with this 'Peace through strength' attitude. That was a saying that President Eisenhower started back in the 1950s, by the way. So I think we have to sit there and weigh the benefits and the risks. Certainly, we don't want Iran with nuclear weapons, and if that's the case, I think the benefits of some type of military action are justified."

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