Full transcript of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," July 26, 2026

On this "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan:

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And this week on Face the Nation: As the U.S. war with Iran approaches the five-month mark, both sides are searching for a diplomatic off-ramp.

MARGARET BRENNAN: After nearly two weeks of striking targets across Iran following the collapse of the short-lived cease-fire earlier this month, the Trump administration paused its bombardment for two straight days for the first time, as diplomatic talks over the Strait of Hormuz show signs of progress.

With our new CBS poll showing continued unease about the war's direction, we will ask U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz whether a peace deal is any closer.

Then: With midterm elections around the corner, Congress faces a daunting to-do list of must-pass legislation to fund the government and the war. We will hear from Senators John Kennedy and Bernie Sanders.

Plus, an update on measles, cyclosporiasis, and more. We will ask former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb.

After 13 straight days of U.S. bombing, U.S. strikes were halted over the weekend. Regional sources tell CBS that talks between Oman and Iran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz appear to be headed in a positive direction, although caution more negotiations are needed.

As oil prices rose again last week to their highest level in more than a month, a new CBS poll finds two-thirds of Americans believe the U.S. should end the conflict with Iran now, while just one-third say it should continue until Iran makes further concessions. Only 35 percent approve of President Trump's handling of the war.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is asking Congress for additional funding as the costs of the conflict mount.

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 I know you want to help the troops. So how do you do that without providing the funding?

SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Well, Margaret, we need $67 billion to build housing, to make sure that all of our people have health care, 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