IN KANSAS | Senator Roger Marshall recently said, “We’re committed to staying prepared and standing with Kansas agriculture” after meeting with the Kansas Livestock Association in June to discuss challenges facing Kansas ranchers, including the risk of New World Screwworm in Southern Texas. But while Marshall says he is committed to standing with Kansas agriculture, his voting record, yet again, tells a different story.

Last year, Marshall voted for federal workforce reductions through the DOGE-backed Rescissions Act of 2025, which weakened USDA programs responsible for protecting American agriculture. These programs are responsible for monitoring agricultural threats, including invasive pests, livestock diseases, and other emerging threats, including screwworm. A report stated that 25% of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service employees were forced out due to DOGE cuts. Kansas reportedly lost 32% of its USDA workforce, the largest percentage loss in the region due to these spending cuts. Kansans have a right to ask: How can our local farmers and ranchers feel protected and prepared when the programs and federal workforce responsible for monitoring and responding to threats to their livestock and crops are being cut? By voting to support these federal cuts, Senator Marshall is putting even more responsibility on Kansas farmers and ranchers, adding another burden to the already demanding work they do every day to protect their livelihoods and keep their operations running.

Kansas has already lost approximately 700 farms in the last year, with small and mid-sized operations making up the majority of those losses. Since last year, farmers have continued to face more large federal cuts, tighter margins, and rising costs of production. These are Kansas families who have spent decades building their farms and ranches, passing their livelihoods down from one generation to the next. At a time when rural and small farms are already struggling to survive, Marshall sponsored legislation that would prevent states from setting their own animal welfare standards for farm production, including livestock confinement rules. By potentially overturning state-level protections, his legislation could make it even harder for those same small and rural farms that follow higher standards to compete and stay in business. All while voting to cut essential programs, Marshall is also voting against a $171 billion funding plan that included additional funding to support farmers and agricultural needs. This funding would’ve supported farmers facing economic challenges, as well as veterans and disaster relief.

So while many rural farmers are fighting to stay afloat in 2026, Senator Marshall also voted against an amendment that would have established a deficit-neutral reserve fund to protect consumers from price increases tied to tariffs and the ongoing war with Iran, including higher fertilizer costs that farmers depend on. Senator Marshall continues to support President Trump’s policies, even as the rising costs of fertilizer and other essential supplies, including mechanical parts for farming equipment, put even more pressure on rural farms.

Kansas is an agricultural state. The Wheat State.

Our farmers and ranchers deserve a Senator who will fight for them, protect the funding they depend on, and strengthen the programs that safeguard their livestock, crops, food supply, and family businesses.

Sponsored legislation that would block states from setting their own animal welfare standards for farm production, including livestock confinement rules; overturning state protections for rural and small farms that follow higher standards to compete in the marketplace.
Voted for the DOGE-backed Rescissions Act of 2025, contributing to federal workforce reductions that weakened USDA programs responsible for monitoring agricultural threats, including invasive pests, livestock diseases, and emerging threats like the screwworm outbreak affecting livestock.
Voted against an amendment to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to protect consumers from price increases associated with tariffs and the Iran war, including higher fertilizer costs.
Voted against a bipartisan funding plan providing up to $171 billion for farmers, veterans, food assistance, disaster relief, border security, and other priorities.ription