Bernie Sanders Face the Nation Transcript: July 26, 2026
Wertynews.com – This comprehensive transcript captures Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ appearance on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on July 26, 2026. The interview covered critical topics including the Iran conflict, emergency war funding, and upcoming midterm election campaigns across multiple states.
War Funding and Constitutional Concerns
The transcript begins with Brennan addressing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s congressional testimony about immediate financial requirements. Hegseth stated that $67 billion must be allocated urgently for military operations and ammunition replenishment.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We begin this morning with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Welcome back to Face the Nation, Senator.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Good to be with you.
While recognizing Sanders’ consistent opposition to the Iran conflict, Brennan emphasized that American forces are already deployed. She questioned how Congress could support troops without authorizing additional funding.
SEN. SANDERS: Well, Margaret, we need $67 billion to build housing, to make sure that all of our people have healthcare, that we deal with climate change, that we deal with a middle class- a working class in this country that is struggling. The war in Iran is unconstitutional. It is illegal. Should never have been started. We need to sit down, negotiate, end this war as quickly as possible.
Public Opinion and Democratic Strategy
According to CBS polling data referenced in this transcript, President Trump holds relatively modest approval ratings, yet Democratic voters show even lower confidence in their party’s direction. When asked about the superior approach to Iran, 32 percent of respondents chose Trump and Republican lawmakers, while 30 percent selected Democrats.
SEN. SANDERS: The solution should be A- and by the way, both the House and the Senate have voted for War Powers Resolution that makes it clear what Trump is doing is illegal. But given that we are where we are right now, let’s sit down. Let’s negotiate with them. Let’s stop the killing. Let’s stop the devastation to our economy, which is raising gas prices, prices all across the board. That’s what we’ve got to do. Sit down, negotiate. Let’s end this war.
Brennan asked whether the priority should be minimizing further casualties, and Sanders affirmed this approach.
Midterm Elections and Progressive Candidates
With roughly 100 days until the midterm elections, Sanders outlined his national campaign support for progressive candidates. He focused particularly on Maine’s potential Senate race, where 600 primary delegates replaced Graham Platner with Troy Jackson following a scandal. Jackson, a progressive logger who previously backed Platner, now works to close the gap in the race.
SEN. SANDERS: I think he can. I think what Troy- and I’ve known Troy for many years. What he understands that the people of Maine are sick and tired of a rigged economy, in which the billionaire class is getting richer and richer, where we have more income and wealth inequality today than we’ve ever had in the history of this country. While 60% of our people, including in Maine, including in Vermont, all over this country, are living paycheck-to-paycheck, trying to put food on the table, trying to pay for healthcare, for housing, put aside a few bucks for retirement. Troy understands that. He’s a working class guy. He’s from the working class. He is very articulate. I think he stands an excellent chance to win.
Sanders also mentioned comparable challenges in other states, noting that wealthy donors are investing heavily to shield establishment candidates. He highlighted that billionaire super PACs are currently spending $50 million against Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed.
When Brennan asked whether Sanders regrets not calling for Platner’s withdrawal earlier, given his initial endorsement, Sanders expressed no regret. He explained that once serious allegations surfaced, he promptly contacted Platner and, together with nearly all his supporters, urged him to leave the race—which he did.
SEN. SANDERS: No, I don’t think so. When we heard the serious allegations made against him, I wanted to get on the phone. I wanted to talk to him. I did. I asked, along with virtually all his supporters, that he should get out of the race, and he did.
Brennan concluded the interview by asking if Sanders remains confident that candidates he has endorsed have undergone thorough evaluation, to which Sanders responded affirmatively, reinforcing his commitment to supporting working-class voices in upcoming elections.
