The next is the transcript of the interview with Sen. Katie Britt, Republican of Alabama, that aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Oct. 19, 2025.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to Republican Senator Katie Britt, who joins us from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Welcome to ‘Face the Nation’, Senator.
SEN. KATIE BRITT: Thanks a lot for having me, Margaret, I recognize it. Sit up for being on right here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I need to speak about a variety of issues. Let me simply choose up the place Senator Kelly left off on the shutdown. He stated, hey, you may all hash this out this week, Chief Thune made that provide. I do know you’ve got stated you are also involved insurance coverage premiums are going to go up whether or not Congress extends the tax credit associated to Obamacare that Democrats are campaigning for, or not right here, principally. Would you like this prolonged?
SEN. BRITT: First off, Margaret, we have to reopen the federal government. Democrats want to come back to the desk and do the correct factor. Simply as I have been touring the state this weekend, I’ve heard numerous tales of people who find themselves not getting a paycheck, whether or not it is our women and men in uniform or those that serve alongside them, or whether or not we’re speaking to veterans or we’re speaking to simply numerous individuals. After we’re trying what’s occurring with WIC, there are lots of people which can be being affected by the Democrats taking part in politics, and they should truly do what’s proper, and that’s work for the American individuals. And so getting the federal government open is primary. So we have to vote on the CR and open the federal government again up. We have additionally given alternate options, like finish authorities shutdown, and I feel you will see this week if the Democrats do not come to the desk, us saying, look, Shutdown Equity Act ensuring that the people who find themselves working are literally getting paychecks, as a result of Margaret, these have actual penalties for American individuals. And after we’re speaking in regards to the ACA, look, Chief Thune stated it finest. We have now at all times stated we could have a dialog about this. We consider that you could stroll and chew gum on the similar time. Democrats, for some purpose, do not suppose that that is potential. They should come to the desk, open the federal government again up, after which we’re comfortable to have a dialog in regards to the damaged system that they created and assist them get out of their very own mess.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However you do personally suppose the federal authorities ought to be off offsetting a few of these prices? As a result of we regarded on the numbers, I feel it is like 130,000 Alabamans are prone to dropping insurance coverage if the tax credit score goes away.
SEN. BRITT: Margaret, let’s- let’s be sincere about this. Let’s return to Obamacare, 2010. That is the inexpensive air- Inexpensive Care Act that even the Washington Submit has says was by no means actually inexpensive. You go to 2014 and what you see there, although, was will increase made by the Democrats, after which these will increase that we’re speaking about proper now, insurance coverage corporations have stated solely account for about 4% of what they’re speaking about rising in 2026. The underlying problem is the brokenness of Obamacare. That’s the downside. And so when you concentrate on this, you’ve got bought the 2021 premiums that they’ve given to everybody. Do you perceive Democrats are literally asking for us to proceed premiums which can be going to millionaires in some instances. We have got to be increasingly accountable with taxpayer {dollars}. And if you would like these well being care methods to even be capable of work, then we’ve to have a bigger dialog. However that is completely, completely ridiculous to take a seat right here and say we’re afraid individuals can’t afford their well being care, however on the similar time we’ll deny them their paycheck. These two issues don’t match up, and Democrats want to truly be sincere about it and get the- get the federal government again open and we’re comfortable to have conversations as we’ve at all times stated, simply as leader- Chief Thune reiterated this week.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You have been within the Oval Workplace discussing one other well being care matter with President Trump this previous week. He credited you with announcing- effectively principally explaining to him that February 2024 choice by an Alabama courtroom that dominated frozen embryos are youngsters. He known as it a ‘dangerous choice,’ and all of us most likely bear in mind what it did for these households making an attempt to undergo fertilization therapy at the moment. With the modifications that have been introduced, who’s going to have the ability to afford this now?
SEN. BRITT: Look, hundreds of thousands extra individuals are going to have the ability to afford this due to President Trump’s management. From the very first time I talked to him about this, Margaret, he has been steadfast and unwavering, understanding that there are individuals from coast to coast which were praying to have the ability to begin their household or develop their household, and due to infertility, right here in america, we have seen one in eight households which can be truly battling infertility points. We have got about 9% of males, 11% of ladies who’re dealing with these challenges. President Trump believes in being, clearly, the President that’s serving to arduous working Individuals, serving to mother and father, serving to households. He is turned the Republican Celebration into that which is so thrilling, and we need to ensure that they are going to have the ability to try this at a greater- at a larger scale. And in order that’s precisely what this can do. Thousands and thousands extra could have entry. And moreover, we’ll drive the associated fee down. And so I talked this weekend, truly with a pal of mine, who got here as much as me and stated, I can’t inform you how a lot I recognize this, as a result of the affordability problem was the obstacle. And she or he truly needed to go off- over shores- abroad to strive to have the ability to convey life into this world. It is thrilling for individuals like her. And I’ve had grandparents and oldsters and mothers and dads inform me what a sport changer that is for them as they begin and develop their household.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, one cycle of IVF can price between $15,000 to $20,000 and decrease revenue ladies clearly have a problem with that. However through the marketing campaign, President Trump stated he was going to make the federal government pay for it or make insurance coverage corporations pay for it. So do you suppose that the Inexpensive Care Act, that Obamacare, for instance, ought to cowl it? Or is it too controversial for conservatives who’ve an ethical problem with IVF?
SEN. BRITT: Effectively, Margaret first. I imply, the Inexpensive Care Act is damaged, and that’s what we’re seeing proper now. I imply, you’ve got seen the will increase that individuals will see in 2026. 80% of these are simply Obamacare, Inexpensive Care Act associated. And so we clearly see that the underlying construction of this program isn’t sustainable and isn’t working for the American individuals. Nobody is paying much less now that Obamacare is in place. And so we have got to be tremendous sincere about that. We additionally should ensure that we’re being accountable shifting ahead. What President Trump has executed is made this accessible to hundreds of thousands extra individuals. He will proceed main on this problem and so many others–
[CROSSTALK]
MARGARET BRENNAN: — It is nonetheless not free. It is nonetheless not free, proper?
SEN. BRITT: – that really assist hard-working households.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you need to legislate, although to pressure it to be?
SEN. BRITT: What we’re doing to– what need to do is I need as many individuals as potential to have alternative to convey life into this world. And that is precisely what that is doing. We’ll proceed to work on this problem. And we additionally need to assist households as they’ve youngsters and are in a position to, you know- on this setting proper now, we hear from individuals on a regular basis, whether or not it’s bringing life into this world, whether or not it’s the baby care price, simply the affordability facet. And I’m so proud to see President Trump lead on these. Truly, for those who have a look at the Working Households Tax Lower, Margaret, that is the very first time we’ve truly elevated the kid care tax credit and in addition the DCAP tax credit in 20 years in some cases, and 40 in others. So we’re making an attempt to ensure that individuals cannot solely convey life into this world, however that it is extra inexpensive once they get right here. As a result of we would like individuals to start out and develop their households. That is what that is doing. That is just- the simply the beginning. And sit up for persevering with to work for the American individuals.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Actually shortly. You’ve got been making an attempt to label Russia a state sponsor of terrorism for stealing Ukrainian youngsters. Does the President’s choice to satisfy with Vladimir Putin endanger your efforts to get this invoice handed?
SEN. BRITT: Look, I’m grateful for President Trump’s efforts on this. Should you look again, we’re on this struggle due to President Biden. If President Biden had despatched the weaponry wanted to Ukraine on the entrance finish, after we noticed Russia build up. We would not be on this struggle to start out with, whenever you’re taking a look at what President Trump has executed, he has met with Zelensky extra occasions in his 9 months in workplace, then President Biden did his whole time. So, these conversations assist us to have resolution–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –However do you’ve got assist to assist convey it to the ground?
SEN. BRITT: Effectively, the First Woman clearly has been main on this. We have now constructed up assist. We’re having a listening to subsequent week. I feel you will notice this come to the ground if there may be not a decision within the brief order, as a result of we consider in bringing these youngsters residence, Margaret. It is about 20,000 youngsters which were stolen from their houses. That is one thing everybody ought to be capable of get behind. And Vladimir Putin ought to pay the value for.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Katie Britt of the state of Alabama. Thanks in your time this morning, ‘Face the Nation’ will probably be again again in a minute. Stick with us.
