Sen. Roger Marshall requested $4.2 million to help more water flow into a wildlife refuge but did not mention it could also benefit his ranch
A watchdog group said the Kansas senator's funding earmark was a conflict of interest 'He should have recused himself'
U.S. Senator Roger Marshall sought to resolve a water rights dispute in rural Kansas that pitted farmers against environmentalists while also threatening the health of the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. The conservationist requested $4.2 million in earmarks for improvements to increase water flow into the refuge. However, it is noteworthy that Marshall did not disclose that his own ranch, Rattlesnake Ranch, could also benefit from the project.
Hunters frequently visit Quivira and its surroundings due to the hundreds of thousands of waterfowl that congregate there each fall. As agriculture expanded in the region, the water supply was strained to irrigate more crops, reducing the flow into the refuge. Marshall's efforts in 2024 aimed to balance the needs of the refuge and farmers in his home state, though this action may have created a conflict of interest for the Republican senator.
The proposed measure also contradicted Marshall's strong opposition to earmarks, also known as pork-barrel spending, which he has criticized as a waste of taxpayer money.
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