Transcript: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," July 26, 2026

The following is the full transcription of an interview with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an Independent, a portion of which aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on July 26, 2026.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We begin this morning with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Welcome back to Face the Nation, Senator.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Congress he needs $67 billion on an emergency basis to help pay the troops, to help restock munitions. I know you object to the war, but we're in this thing now, and- and I know you want to help the troops. So, how do you do that without providing the 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.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So our polling that we just referenced there show that the president does have low approval ratings, but when it comes to Democrats, they actually fare slightly worse on this. When they were asked by CBS who has the better approach to Iran, 32% say Trump and the GOP, only 30% say Democrats. So, what should the solution be here? Is there an affirmative vision from Democrats on how to get out of it?

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.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. Well, we are 100 days out from the midterm races. I know you've been working, going around the country to help boost some of these progressive candidates. Maine is a state that could flip control of the Senate. Yesterday, 600 Maine primary delegates replaced scandal-ridden Graham Platner with Troy Jackson. He's a logger. He's a progressive. He had been allied with Platner before he called on him to wake out in the wake of those sexual assault allegations. I'm wondering, with 100 days out, can Jackson play catch-up here?

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 ti