Full transcript of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Dec. 14, 2025

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

• Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado
• Sen. Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia 
• White Home Nationwide Financial Council Director Kevin Hassett
• Sen. Invoice Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana 

Click on right here to browse full transcripts from 2025 of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”   

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MARGARET BRENNAN: I am Margaret Brennan in Washington.

And this week on Face the Nation: breaking in a single day, mass shootings at Brown College and now at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia.

Plus, our unique interview with Venezuelan opposition chief and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado.

(Start VT)

(SINGING)

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MARGARET BRENNAN: Yesterday, the commander in chief paid tribute to our nation’s most interesting in that time-honored American custom, the Military-Navy soccer sport.

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(CHEERING)

DONALD TRUMP (President of the USA): All of us set?

ANNOUNCER: It’s tails.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: Military received the coin toss, however Navy received the sport on what was a sobering Saturday. Earlier, President Trump stated the U.S. would reply to an ISIS assault in Syria that killed two American troopers and a civilian interpreter.

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QUESTION: Will the U.S. retaliate towards ISIS?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Sure, we are going to.

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MARGARET BRENNAN: Because the international coverage challenges proceed for Mr. Trump, so do People’ issues about excessive costs, significantly painful this 12 months as the vacation buying season peaks.

Not less than 20 million People additionally face skyrocketing well being care premiums below Obamacare within the new 12 months. We’ll speak with White Home chief financial adviser Kevin Hassett, Louisiana Republican Senator Invoice Cassidy, and Virginia Democratic Senator Mark Warner.

Plus, in a dialog you will notice solely on CBS, Venezuelan opposition chief Maria Corina Machado tells us why she’s so dedicated to democracy in her nation, regardless of the dangers she faces.

It is all simply forward on Face the Nation.

Welcome to Face the Nation.

On this primary day of Hanukkah, a horrific scene is unfolding almost 10,000 miles away within the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, the place gunmen attacked a Jewish vacation gathering on the metropolis’s Bondi Seaside, a well-liked vacationer spot.

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(GUNFIRE)

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MARGARET BRENNAN: Not less than 11 individuals have been killed and one other 29 injured in an assault the Australian prime minister has known as an act of evil, antisemitism and terrorism.

Video footage seems to indicate two gunmen on a bridge, one among them firing his weapon. One other clip exhibits what seems to be a bystander tackling and disarming one of many gunmen. Police verify there have been at the least two suspects. One is useless, the opposite hospitalized following the assault, and they’re wanting into the opportunity of extra suspects.

Right here within the U.S., Saturday marked what’s at the least the thirty ninth college taking pictures on a university campus this 12 months.

CBS Information correspondent Tom Hanson stories from Windfall, Rhode Island, from the Brown College campus, the place the assault occurred.

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TOM HANSON (voice-over): After an evening on lockdown at Brown College…

BRETT SMILEY (D-Mayor of Windfall, Rhode Island): We have now detained an individual of curiosity concerned in yesterday’s taking pictures.

TOM HANSON: … this morning, a short exhale for a campus nonetheless on edge.

MAYOR BRETT SMILEY: Seven people in secure situation, one in essential, however secure situation, and one has been discharged.

EMERGENCY DISPATCH: It’s a confirmed taking pictures.

TOM HANSON: The primary calls got here in simply after 4:00 p.m. Saturday.

EMERGENCY DISPATCH: I am being suggested 167 Brook within the constructing, within the stairway, there’s an individual shot.

TOM HANSON: The college president says the taking pictures happened in the midst of a last examination evaluation session on the college’s engineering and physics constructing.

MAN: And there was an enormous response instantly. You may simply look out the window, there’s tons of cop vehicles, tons of fireplace vehicles. It was so much.

TOM HANSON: As some college students evacuated, Brown’s campus, usually open and walkable, grew to become a spot to cover, the sense of safety at this Ivy League establishment now damaged.

CHRISTINA PAXSON (President, Brown College): We have now a whole lot of restoration forward of us. So my principal objective within the coming days and weeks and months, it can take a very long time, is to deliver individuals again collectively and assist them really feel protected and safe on campus.

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TOM HANSON: And there may be nonetheless no phrase but on a motive, however, in accordance with one legislation enforcement supply, the particular person of curiosity is 24 and didn’t attend Brown College.

Now, in the meantime, all remaining last exams have been postponed as investigators work with prosecutors to gather extra proof and conduct extra interviews – Margaret.

MARGARET BRENNAN: That is Tom Hanson reporting from Windfall, Rhode Island.

We flip to our unique dialog with Venezuelan opposition chief Maria Corina Machado, who spoke to us Friday from Oslo, the place she simply acquired the Nobel Peace Prize. To get there, she traveled secretly by land, sea and air, as she faces arrest by the Maduro regime.

We wished to listen to about that journey, however she refused to speak about it, citing safety issues for individuals who helped her, though she has beforehand stated she acquired help from the U.S. authorities.

(Start VT)

MARIA CORINA MACHADO (Venezuela Opposition Chief): I’m not going to provide extra info relating to my journey to Norway.

However what am I going to say, how necessary it’s for the Venezuelan individuals. This can be a recognition to a nation that has fought tirelessly, courageously towards a legal narco-terrorist construction. And – and I got here to obtain that prize, that award, and I will deliver it again residence to the Venezuelan individuals as quickly as potential.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You say you are going again residence. I do know you despatched your personal kids out of Venezuelan territory in an effort to shield them, your sons, your daughter.

Are they involved that you simply plan to return to Venezuela? When are you going?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: Effectively, after all they’re involved, as another Venezuelan baby that has their dad and mom or kinfolk again in our nation, as a result of the regime, as I stated, has persecuted, tortured, killed, disappeared 1000’s of Venezuelans.

And, not too long ago, it has turned much more violent, as a result of, you already know, when – when a legal regime is falling aside they usually know their days are numbered, they flip much more aggressive, much more violent.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you able to assist us perceive what’s going on? As a result of we’re seeing right here within the U.S. a rise within the stress marketing campaign, extra sanctions on Venezuelan people and vessels. We noticed an armed seizure of a vessel carrying oil out of Venezuela.

Promoting oil on the black market is admittedly necessary cash for the Maduro regime. Do you endorse this concept of extra seizures and probably even a blockade?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: Look, I completely help President Trump’s technique.

And we, the Venezuelan individuals, are very grateful to him and to his administration, as a result of I consider he’s a champion of freedom on this hemisphere. And that is why – and I say this from Oslo proper now – I’ve devoted this award to him, as a result of I feel that he lastly has put Venezuela in the place it needs to be, when it comes to a precedence for the USA’ nationwide safety.

And we do help these actions as a result of, Margaret, we face not a traditional dictatorship. This can be a very complicated legal construction that has turned Venezuela right into a protected haven of worldwide crime and terrorist actions, beginning with Russia, Iran, Cuba, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Colombian guerrilla, the drug cartels working freely and directed in partnership with Maduro and his regime.

And, as each legal construction is – suffers is when the inflows from their legal actions are reduce. And these, within the case of Maduro regime, comes from the oil black market, to drug trafficking, gold smuggling, arms smuggling, even human smuggling and trafficking.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It sounds such as you help extra sanctions and probably extra seizures of oil. However is not there a threat that chopping off cash will additional harm the already impoverished individuals of Venezuela? Is not {that a} threat?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: After all, what we’re doing is for the well-being of the Venezuelan individuals. What we need to do is to avoid wasting lives.

However Maduro was the one who declared a struggle on the Venezuelan individuals, a struggle we did not need, a struggle we’re struggling with lots of of 1000’s of killings and compelled executions within the final years. And, proper now, I need to be very clear with the worldwide group.

The sources Maduro will get are usually not going to varsities or hospitals. In Venezuela, a instructor earns $1 a day. Pensions are lower than $1 a month. Our kids go twice per week to highschool. The sources, the money the regime will get from these unlawful actions goes to purchase arms, to pay gang members, to spy and infiltrate, and to even additional improve their unlawful narcotics actions and so forth.

So these sources are usually not going for to – in the direction of the individuals. They are going for corruption and crime.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So it sounds such as you need much more seizures and a blockade. Is that appropriate?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: We would like each authorized motion by legislation enforcement method, not solely from the USA, additionally from different Caribbean, Latin American and European nations, that additional block the unlawful actions of the regime.

Why? As a result of we have to improve the price of staying in energy by power. When you arrive to that time through which the price of staying in energy is larger than the price of leaving energy, the regime will collapse. And it is the second the place we, you already know, advance right into a negotiated transition, which is what at first we supplied Maduro after we received the presidential election by a landslide final 12 months.

However he not solely refused that choice, however he, as you already know, unleashed the worst, most brutal repression wave we have seen in our historical past.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And eight million Venezuelans have fled…

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: That is appropriate.

MARGARET BRENNAN: … since he got here to energy, throughout that point.

However, when it comes to the diplomacy, President Trump spoke with Maduro himself final month. We have not seen any proof, although, that diplomacy, a negotiated exit such as you talked about, is occurring. Are you seeing diplomatic success?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: Effectively, within the final years, Venezuela has seen 17 dialogue initiatives, not as soon as, not twice, 17.

Each single time, the opposition or our allies or the USA have complied with each single factor we supplied. The regime of the nation has violated each single factor they supplied on their very own half. What did they get? They acquired time. They acquired legitimacy. They acquired cash.

And that is exactly what they suppose they’ll get once more – as soon as once more. However, definitely, issues have modified very a lot within the final months. Venezuela is a complete totally different nation. I imply, Maduro is weaker than ever. The armed forces, police are definitely divided and fractured, and our nation is united, cohesive.

And we lastly have the administration, on this case, President Trump, with a transparent technique that really represents a reputable menace for the regime. So if we had – ever had an opportunity to lastly transfer forward into – in the direction of democracy in our nation, it is right this moment.

MARGARET BRENNAN: What proof do you have got that the army is weaker than ever? Was your escape proof of that?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: We have seen increasingly more members of the army discovering methods to attach with us, to ship messages to – to – to indicate that they’re feeling the identical of what the remainder of the nation is feeling.

When – after they – this army return residence, they discover their kids, their mom, their companions saying that they’re hungry, that they’re persecuted, that their households have been divided. They’re scared. Sure, they’re scared, as a result of repression and persecution within the army is even more durable than on civilians.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, President Trump stated that land strikes to cease drug trafficking particularly will begin quickly. He has been saying that for weeks. Are you aware what he’s speaking about? And has he promised you something?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: No, I do not know. And properly, if I knew, I would not say it, after all. Nevertheless it’s not the case.

We aren’t concerned and we is not going to get entangled into one other nation’s coverage for their very own nationwide safety.

MARGARET BRENNAN: However would you welcome U.S. army motion?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: I’ll welcome increasingly more stress in order that Maduro understands that he has to go, that his time is over.

And I’ll insist one thing that I’ve stated a number of occasions earlier than. This isn’t typical regime change. This can’t be in comparison with different circumstances, like nations within the Center East. We had an election. Regime change was already mandated by over 70 p.c of the inhabitants. And what we’d like is help to implement that call.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, how do you sq. army motion with receiving a Peace Prize? Are we on the level it is necessary?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: Effectively, what we’re preventing for is exactly freedom in an effort to have democracy, and democracy in an effort to have peace.

And in an effort to keep freedom and to realize freedom, you do want power. The opposite could be the peace of the useless, through which you have got a rustic below absolute oppression and easily giving in. And that is not the case.

It is completely absurd that you simply see a regime, a legal regime like Maduro, that will get help from Russia or from Iran, after which ask the Venezuelan individuals to not ask help from democratic nations and democratic leaders.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: That is absolute absurd. We would not have arms. We have now our will. We have now the facility of group and the facility of affection, which, on the finish, I’ve to say that peace is finally an act of affection.

(Finish VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: The Maduro regime maintains it received the final election and considers Machado a fugitive. The regime additionally refers to U.S. actions as unlawful and brutal interventionism.

In our subsequent half-hour, we are going to communicate with Machado about what’s forward in a possible post-Maduro period in Venezuela.

And we will likely be again in a single minute, so stick with us.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: And we’re now joined by the highest Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mark Warner of Virginia.

Senator, had been you persuaded there by Maria Corina Machado’s argument that army motion, stress is virtuous and mandatory?

SENATOR MARK WARNER (D-Virginia): Effectively, initially, let me – on the prime of the present, we’ve got acquired this tragic taking pictures at Brown College after which this clearly political strike towards the Jewish group in Australia, each horrible, and significantly on the primary day of Hanukkah, which is the celebration of sunshine over darkness.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: And, boy, we might use a little bit extra mild today.

Ms. Machado is a hero. She deserves to win the Nobel Prize. And one of many errors the Biden administration made final 12 months, when the opposition candidates received overwhelmingly, was not put extra stress on Maduro then to go away. However the motion now that Trump has chosen Maduro, who’s a foul man, and saying – and I am undecided what his coverage is, however at the exact same time is pardoning, for instance, a Honduran former president who was convicted in America of drug operating.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: The president, who has not been keen to face up robust towards Putin, who’s most likely essentially the most brutal authoritarian chief on the earth, as we go on and off with Ukraine.

I feel it is – sure, it might be nice to do away with Maduro. However when it comes to the query…

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: … Donald Trump has not come to the American individuals and stated, listed below are our targets in Venezuela. We have now acquired troops probably in hurt’s method. We have now acquired boat actions, for instance, the place we’re blowing up boats the place we will clearly interdict, as we noticed with the oil tanker.

I feel the president must make the case if he will attempt to put boots on the bottom in Venezuela.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, at this level, all they’ve, as I perceive it, requested for and justified to Congress had been these strikes on the alleged drug boats, nothing with sovereign territory but.

However that will get to your argument about, what’s the finish objective? In contrast to different Democrats, on the subject of the drug boats, you have got stated you are not able to name them struggle crimes, significantly what occurred on the September 2 double faucet strike. You could have questioned Admiral Bradley.

I do know you need the video launched to the general public. What do you suppose that is going to indicate to the general public? What’s going to that change?

SENATOR MARK WARNER: Effectively, I feel the video is chilling, disturbing, no matter time period you need to use.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Why?

SENATOR MARK WARNER: As a result of the concept of those two survivors hanging on to remnants of a ship, after which America taking a sequence of extra strikes. The Congress must see it, on the very minimal. I feel the American public must see it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You could have seen it?

SENATOR MARK WARNER: I’ve seen it. It’s – it’s…

MARGARET BRENNAN: Solely a restricted quantity have.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: It’s terribly chilling.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: What I am saying is, when you make the accusation of struggle crime, you may’t take that again.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: And so what I’ve stated…

MARGARET BRENNAN: However lots of your Democrat colleagues have.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: And I do know that.

That is why I’ve stated to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, I need to see the written execution order. I need to see the authorized opinion that was about this particular strike. I need to know whether or not the overarching coverage memorandum, which was not completed till September 5, three days after the strike, was it modified?

MARGARET BRENNAN: You – I noticed you stated that that is not typical, is it? Do not you usually give you the authorized justification earlier than you are taking the motion, quite than three days after it?

(CROSSTALK)

SENATOR MARK WARNER: Effectively, that is the place I’ve a query.

The justification was made in late July. They did not write it down till September 5.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Why?

SENATOR MARK WARNER: Can – I haven’t got the reply.

I additionally need to see the after-action report. I need to give the army each alternative to make their case, as a result of when you – once more, when you make that declare, what it will do to how we view our army, morale, how we’re considered on the earth, it is so necessary.

However this president has not – and, frankly, Pete Hegseth even worse. Here is the man who goes out and brags in regards to the strikes, till there’s controversy, after which he sort of runs for the hills.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, the president stated once more this week – and I’ll simply learn it to you – that land strikes on Venezuela are being thought of.

“Land strikes on horrible individuals which might be bringing in medicine and killing our individuals. It would not essentially should be in Venezuela. It is individuals which might be bringing in medicine to our nation as targets.”

Have you ever seen any authorized justification to hit these individuals now designated as terrorists on sovereign territory, whether or not it is Mexico or Colombia or Venezuela?

(CROSSTALK)

SENATOR MARK WARNER: The overwhelming majority of the drug – significantly – that is all cocaine. This isn’t fentanyl. The huge…

MARGARET BRENNAN: By way of the drug boats that they hit.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: The overwhelming majority is definitely within the Japanese Pacific, but a lot of the strikes have been within the Caribbean.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: And does this imply that out of the blue you are going to be open warfare with all of American army towards any and all drug sellers?

Once more, the drug sellers are terrible. We have to do all we will to cease them. However the president, when he places American forces probably in hurt’s method, wants to return and clarify to the American individuals what the objective is right here.

MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: Significantly when he is then, on the identical breath, pardoning the previous president of Honduras, who’s a convicted drug vendor.

MARGARET BRENNAN: By way of designated terrorists, ISIS is a delegated terrorist group. We simply noticed the primary fight deaths, basically, of the Trump administration yesterday, three People killed, three injured in Syria on this obvious ambush.

The top of the Nationwide Counterterrorism Heart stated it was an insider assault. Are you supportive of maintaining the almost 1,000 U.S. troops in Syria? Do you have got issues that the Syrian authorities is not capable of hold these infiltrators out?

SENATOR MARK WARNER: Effectively, initially, condolences to the three People’ households, armed forces members, one an interpreter.

I feel our troops have performed an necessary function. We’re working intently with, for instance, the Kurds. We have now actually tens of 1000’s of ISIS relations in sure prisons in that space. However the president…

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you need that to proceed?

SENATOR MARK WARNER: However the president – I feel pulling out with no plan could be a mistake, however the president, once more, has despatched blended alerts.

I imply, months in the past, he stated he is serious about taking all these American troopers out with out articulating a technique. I imply, the president, if he needs to make the case to the American individuals of when our troopers are in hurt’s method, and significantly after we’re speaking in regards to the Caribbean, and now potential Venezuela, this has not been an in a single day – this buildup of forces been months.

He owes it to all of us to return in and clarify what his objective is.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Domestically, we’ve got Senator Cassidy on this system. We taped with him earlier.

He says he is searching for fellow Democrats to affix him in a well being care deal by March to make these well being financial savings accounts. And he stated he’ll supply to increase the prevailing subsidies for well being care premiums.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: Effectively, initially…

MARGARET BRENNAN: Would you be on board with that?

SENATOR MARK WARNER: … we’ve got acquired a disaster that hits as of Monday, tomorrow.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: As a result of that is when individuals have to enroll.

MARGARET BRENNAN: He says, retroactively, you are able to do it.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: Effectively, hear, it is a mess.

After getting signed up or you have got dropped out of the system, the concept you are retroactively going to repair it, repair it now, so individuals do not go into Christmas considering they’ll not know if they are going to have the ability to afford well being care. And the notion…

MARGARET BRENNAN: However nothing is occurring.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: However the notion that what – and Invoice Cassidy is an effective man. I’ve labored with him in a whole lot of totally different efforts.

However the concept a one-time $1,500 fee into your pocket goes to out of the blue make up – I had an individual on – the opposite day, her present insurance coverage is $544 a month.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: It will go as much as over $1,500 a month.

A one-time $1,500 fee will not be going to fulfill her wants…

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

SENATOR MARK WARNER: … and significantly if that may imply that issues like preexisting situation protections would disappear.

MARGARET BRENNAN: That sounds such as you’re not on board in these remaining days of 2025.

Senator, I’ve to…

SENATOR MARK WARNER: Repair the disaster proper now. Lengthen the subsidies, after which let’s debate how we repair it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure, we’ve got to – we’ve got to go away it there.

Thanks, Senator.

We will likely be proper again.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We will likely be proper again with much more Face the Nation.

Stick with us.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to “FACE THE NATION.” We’re joined now by the director of the Nationwide Financial Council, Kevin Hassett.

Good to have you ever again.

KEVIN HASSETT (Nationwide Financial Council Director): It is nice to be again.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, persons are vacation buying. They’re conscious of costs. The president stated this week costs are coming down tremendously. The most recent knowledge, although, from the Shopper Value Index is up three p.c 12 months over 12 months, Private Consumption Index is up 2.8 p.c 12 months over 12 months. What knowledge is he ? What’s your benchmark?

KEVIN HASSETT: Proper. Effectively, one the issues that, in the event you noticed his presentation in Pennsylvania, as he put up a bunch of charts, which he likes to do, the place he went by the person gadgets which have – we have already type of made a bunch of progress on.

And so, for instance, below Joe Biden, pharmaceuticals had been up 9 p.c. Thus far this 12 months they’re down 0.6 p.c. Gasoline is method down. It was like the best ever below Biden.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Eggs. He was speaking about eggs. Sure.

KEVIN HASSETT: Sure, he was speaking about eggs.

And so, I feel the – the way in which to consider inflation, after all, is that there are like micro results, just like the time that we had the avian flu affecting drug costs.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

KEVIN HASSETT: After which macro results, which is runaway spending, massive deficits and an accommodated Fed coverage. And I feel that –

MARGARET BRENNAN: And now tariffs including to some worth will increase in accordance with the Fed chair.

KEVIN HASSETT: Effectively, I – you already know, I feel that the tariff proof is blended. However the level is that we have got deficit going method, method down. So, proper now, it is wanting just like the deficit for this 12 months will likely be $600 billion decrease than it was final 12 months. That basically helps decrease inflation. We have the commerce deficit reduce in half from final 12 months. And so all these items are issues that ought to proceed to maneuver us in the direction of the Fed goal of two p.c.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Firms aren’t essentially going to deliver gadgets down, although, when it comes to pricing, proper? I imply the president advised “The Wall Road Journal,” he did not know when all of this cash, quote, “goes to kick in.” I feel he was speaking to enterprise funding and tariffs, “and assist voters. All I can do is my job.”

When do you anticipate voters will really feel this constructive impression?

KEVIN HASSETT: Proper. Effectively, it is positively the case that – and also you guys have been masking it so much, that client sentiment proper now’s decrease than anybody would love.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

KEVIN HASSETT: However, you already know, we discover that that fairly often occurs throughout a authorities shutdown, the place all people’s actually upset.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, the final administration known as that the vibe session, proper?

KEVIN HASSETT: No, however –

MARGARET BRENNAN: The info’s good, however individuals really feel dangerous.

KEVIN HASSETT: However what occurred – sure, however what is going on to occur is –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Similar factor, you are saying?

KEVIN HASSETT: No, what is going on to occur – I am not saying that. What I am saying is that persons are going to see the excessive progress. Progress is 4 p.c. Earnings progress is up about $1,200 this 12 months. Individuals look of their wallets and see they’re doing higher, which is why we had the largest Black Friday ever. And so forth.

And so, I feel that the sentiment –

MARGARET BRENNAN: However that is extra larger incomes.

KEVIN HASSETT: The sentiment will meet up with the truth. Below Joe Biden the very fact is that actual buying energy dropped by about 3,000. Thus far this 12 months it is up by about $1,200 per household. And the cash that we’re speaking about is like actual cash. So, for groceries, it went from $400 a month to $525 a month below Biden. So, that is like an additional greater than thousand {dollars} a 12 months you need to spend on groceries.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Uh-huh.

KEVIN HASSETT: It is down this 12 months for us, the grocery package deal. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless acquired a whole lot of room to develop – or to go.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Much more to go.

KEVIN HASSETT: Sure.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And the president lowered some tariffs on a few of these grocery gadgets with a watch in the direction of that acknowledgement.

KEVIN HASSETT: On the meals stuff. Sure, if we do not make it right here, then just about we do not tariff it.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Let me ask you – you talked about fuel.

KEVIN HASSETT: Uh-huh.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Oil costs globally are comparatively low.

KEVIN HASSETT: Uh-huh.

MARGARET BRENNAN: We noticed this Coast Guard interdiction with army forces boarding and seizing this vessel off the coast of Venezuela.

KEVIN HASSETT: Appropriate.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you’re feeling you have got the leeway there, pricing-wise, to conduct extra seizures, or perhaps a blockade of oil from Venezuela?

KEVIN HASSETT: Effectively –

MARGARET BRENNAN: With out it hurting?

KEVIN HASSETT: Sure, properly, I am not a international coverage man.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.

KEVIN HASSETT: So, like what we do with Venezuela, whether or not we blockade is as much as the president and Marco Rubio.

However I can say that –

MARGARET BRENNAN: However you’ve got acquired the leeway, proper? Pricing (ph).

KEVIN HASSETT: That what’s been occurring is there’s been sort of a black marketplace for oil amongst type of this sanctioned nations. And what we’re doing is we’re shutting that black market down. Whether or not that impacts costs outdoors of the sanctioned nations is sort of an open query. Most likely not.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You do not suppose it can?

KEVIN HASSETT: No, as a result of – as a result of there’s – they’re already sort of on the ropes, these nations. They’re solely getting oil after they get, like, type of black fleets to sneak in and provides them the oil.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

KEVIN HASSETT: And that is what we’re making an attempt to decelerate.

MARGARET BRENNAN: It is – OK.

I need to ask you in regards to the Fed choice. The Federal Open Market Committee stated job features have slowed this 12 months.

We additionally this survey from The Enterprise Roundtable. I am certain you noticed it. They requested CEOs what they count on to occur. They usually anticipate employment will lower in 2026 quite than improve.

Are you involved a couple of hiring slowdown?

KEVIN HASSETT: The identical Fed stated that they had been extra bullish on progress for subsequent 12 months, proper? And so, I feel that we’re at a sure case –

MARGARET BRENNAN: However on the roles image?

KEVIN HASSETT: However on the roles image, you already know, we will get the info subsequent week. And so, perhaps subsequent Sunday I am going to come again and we’ll speak about it as a result of we have two months of information popping out on Tuesday and we’ll get a clearer image as a result of proper now we simply have some very tough to pin down surveys, just like the gold commonplace for this will likely be actually the family survey, which we do not even get for October.

MARGARET BRENNAN: However these had been CEOs. They’re the individuals who could be doing the hiring, proper? They usually’re saying, we’re not doing it.

KEVIN HASSETT: However they do not have the broad perspective that we’ll get when he get the large knowledge launched subsequent week.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And also you belief that massive knowledge?

KEVIN HASSETT: I belief the family survey particularly. And, sadly, we can’t have one for October. However we will get one for November and that is going to be actually necessary for serious about the place the job market is.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Employment is likely one of the issues that the Fed watches intently. And we heard once more from the president that you simply had been on this brief listing to be probably the subsequent Fed chair.

KEVIN HASSETT: Sure.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Though he was conducting interviews this week. He stated you and Hoover’s Kevin Warsh are on the prime of the listing.

On Friday the president was requested how massive of a job he needs to personally play in future Fed rate of interest choices.

Take a hear.

(BEGIN VC)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I feel I definitely ought to have a job in speaking to whoever the top of the Fed is, or the Fed. I do not actually – you already know, within the outdated days, that used to occur. These days, it is type of – they suppose it should not occur. However I’ve achieved nice. I’ve made some huge cash. I am very profitable. I feel my voice needs to be heard.

(END VC)

MARGARET BRENNAN: As Fed chair, how incessantly would you seek the advice of with the president when he says he needs his voice herd?

KEVIN HASSETT: Effectively, I am proper now the highest financial adviser for the president and I speak about virtually every thing with him virtually day-after-day. I’ve definitely talked about financial coverage. I feel he has very robust and well-founded views about what we must do. However in the long run, the job of the Fed is to be impartial and the – to work with the group of individuals which might be on the Board of Governors on the FOMC, to drive a gaggle consensus on the place rates of interest needs to be. And to take action, you already know, mainly with the steerage of the Fed chair. However in the long run, it is a committee that votes. And I would be glad to speak to the president day-after-day, you already know, till each of us are useless as a result of it is a lot enjoyable to speak. And he is –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Even in the event you had been Fed chair?

KEVIN HASSETT: Even when I had been Fed chair. If I wasn’t Fed chair, I – you already know what, I might hope that Kevin Warsh could be speaking to the president as properly if he – if he had been Fed chair.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And voice needs to be heard goes to be –

KEVIN HASSETT: I – you already know, each Fed chair talks to plenty and plenty of market specialists.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Equal to the opposite members of the – voting members or –

KEVIN HASSETT: Excuse me?

MARGARET BRENNAN: Would the president’s voice have equal weighting to the voting members?

KEVIN HASSETT: No. No. The – he would haven’t any weight. It is simply his opinion issues if it is good. , if it is based mostly on knowledge. After which in the event you go to the committee and also you say, properly, the president made this argument and that is a extremely sound argument, I feel, what do you suppose? In the event that they reject it, then they will vote otherwise.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood.

Effectively, we’ll be watching to see what occurs.

Kevin Hassett.

KEVIN HASSETT: Nice to be right here.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Thanks, as at all times.

We’ll be proper again.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to Louisiana Republican Senator Invoice Cassidy. He joins us this morning from Baton Rouge.

Good morning to you, Senator.

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY (R-LA): Good morning, Margaret.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, your well being care invoice offers People as much as $1,500 in tax-free accounts to spend on well being care quite than lengthen these expiring ACA subsidies. On Thursday, your proposal failed 51-48, as did the Democratic proposal. So which means it appears to be like like these receiving ACA premium subsidies will see their prices go up 114 p.c. Backside line right here, did Republicans merely wait too lengthy to give you a well being care various?

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Effectively, first, Margaret, let’s simply sort of recap the query. We have to do one thing for affordability for the individuals within the exchanges. And I’ll say that the one factor that Democrats would settle for was one thing that may lower the premiums. But when a household has a $6,000 out of pocket earlier than they get into the power of the insurance coverage plan, then frankly the coverage is catastrophic. It brings revenue to the insurance coverage firm, however not profit to the affected person.

So, I might argue that it truly is – there needs to be a gathering of the minds between Democrats and Republicans. Let’s acknowledge, you have to put money within the affected person’s pocket to pay the out of pocket. I might be keen to do a short-term extension of the premium tax credit for these individuals with larger premiums if they are going to concede that we have got to do one thing for the $6,000 out of pocket. I feel there is a deal available right here. We have to push for that deal.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, you need to be sure that the common deductible is lower than $6,000 is what I simply heard you say there, and also you’re open to an

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Completely. The web deductible, if you’ll –

MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: That $1,500 is per particular person. Give me a pair – you already know, for individuals over 50, give me a pair of their 50s with two kids, 18 and 19. They’d get $5,000 in an account, of their purse, pocketbook, you title it, of their pocket to pay the out of pocket for the insurance coverage. Now, the insurance coverage plan for that couple could be a $6,000 deductible. So, you find yourself lowering the web deductible by doing this. That makes the coverage truly purposeful for them. If the kid has a sprained ankle and also you deliver to the pressing care, you may pay the invoice, not sort of include – – come at a – come ahead out of your personal pocket.

By the way in which, I am advised that about 40 p.c of People have lower than $1,000 of their financial savings account. That sort of places into reduction why you should have one thing of their pocket to pay the out of pocket.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

So, I do know the president has stated that he likes the idea of your plan, however why did not the White Home put its shoulder behind this earlier than Thursday? Why did not they whip votes for you? 4 of your Republican colleagues crossed the aisle and voted with Democrats on their proposal.

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: All 4 of these voted for our proposal, too. And I feel that exhibits you that there’s – there may be curiosity find one thing which addresses each the essential downside of the out-of-pocket expense, but in addition the upper premiums.

MARGARET BRENNAN: However is the White Home behind you on this? Like, are they serving to you in the event you’re making an attempt one other –

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Effectively, it definitely appeared prefer it. Their –

MARGARET BRENNAN: You need this up for an additional vote?

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Their preliminary plan had components of what I’m talking about, serving to individuals with that deductible. So, merely put, sure, the White Home is there. However in the event you discover, our downside was not on the Republican facet, our downside was on the Democratic facet. So, what I am saying is, is let’s simply meet collectively.

As a doctor, I can let you know, that deductible, the affected person comes, she’s careworn. She will be able to’t get the process, the x-ray, the no matter, due to her $6,000 deductible. Let’s simply meet. Let’s handle her issues. After which this Republican could be keen to do one thing on a short-term extension of the premium tax credit if that is what it takes to get the deal to assist these of us with the dearer premium, but in addition serving to all people with their deductible.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you want extra White Home assistance on this? And, sir, you are operating out of time right here. Do you actually suppose you may get this achieved earlier than January 1st?

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Our downside will not be with Republicans. Our downside has been with Democrats. However, after all, they could say that about us. So, what I’m sort of trying to find is a deal through which each have their issues addressed. When you do this and you place this in place, you actually have till the top of, like, March to get it achieved as a result of with these sort of accounts that folks have cash in, they only save the receipts, they submit them they usually get reimburse. It occurs – it is what we do in my household. We have now a versatile spending account.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: And so, we will get this achieved. And I feel we will meet the issues, each in regards to the out of pocket, but in addition in regards to the premium.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I additionally need to ask you about what’s occurring with the FDA proper now. CBS has confirmed that there aren’t any ongoing security research into the abortion drug Mifepristone. This was regardless of the Trump administration saying they had been going to conduct one, and anti-abortion teams need this evaluation to happen.

I noticed a letter the FDA commissioner despatched to you final week claiming they’re reviewing the proof. Do you consider him? And if not, what are you doing about it?

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: I had a dialog with the commissioner this previous week. It appears as if it is taken a very long time to get that examine up and going, which suggests to me that it is not a precedence. For the pro-life group, this needs to be a precedence. And if we will make America wholesome once more, this looks as if, my gosh, needs to be prime precedence.

So, there may be – I’m upset, in addition to others are upset, by the way in which that is being slow-walked. I feel – I feel it simply must occur. We have to have the proof on the market.

If you wish to reassure the American individuals about one thing which is admittedly prime of thoughts, that is the place they need to be going.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, the American Faculty of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated that Mifepristone is protected and efficient and that there are uncomfortable side effects in lower than 1 p.c of sufferers. I – with that knowledge level in place, why is not the White Home urgent the FDA commissioner to make this occur? There’s some suggestion in reporting that it’s for political issues as a result of impression on the upcoming midterm races. Is that this politically motivated, the slow-walking you say is occurring?

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: You are asking me to look into the sort of motivations of oldsters with whom I’ve not had a private dialog. I can not do this.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, did the FDA commissioners say that?

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: The FDA commissioners stated that they are making an attempt to get the examine collectively. However they have been in workplace lengthy sufficient that it could possibly be. And so, I feel that it is proper to be impatient. It is proper to demand extra.

I do not know if the choice begins with the FDA commissioner. You simply steered it begins within the White Home. That is likely to be the case. Level being, get it achieved.

MARGARET BRENNAN: And you’ve got confidence within the FDA commissioner?

SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: I feel the FDA commissioner is working very arduous. And I feel that, in lots of circumstances, he is receiving directives from on excessive. I do not know that for certain, however I think that is the case.

MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. Dr. Cassidy, Senator Cassidy, we thanks to your time.

We’ll be again in a second.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: Here is extra of our unique interview with Venezuelan opposition chief, Maria Corina Machado.

(BEGIN VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: The regime itself has achieved a variety of issues. They’ve revoked TV licenses for journalists to broadcast honestly. He has jailed journalists. The United Nations says the nationwide guard focused political opponents, dedicated sexual violence, tortured individuals and dedicated different crimes towards humanity.

So, from the place you sit, is Maduro stepping down sufficient, or do you want all the regime dismantled, through which case that feels like a rustic in collapse.

MARIA CORINA MACHADO (Venezuelan Opposition Chief): That is an excellent query as a result of definitely Maduro is the top of the construction, but it surely’s like another mafia system. You could have households or teams that function and generally even compete amongst one another.

There are totally different levels within the crimes they’ve dedicated. Actually people who have dedicated crimes towards humanity, which were reported by the very fact discovering missions (ph) of the United Nations ought to face justice. Native justice and worldwide justice.

There are different members of the regime or the armed forces which have dedicated lesser crimes. And definitely we are going to seek for justice, not revenge.

However this, I will insist, what we’re residing proper now’s chaos. Maduro represents chaos. We’ll put order.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood. However respectfully, you even have acknowledged that the drug cartels are exploiting your nation. That Russia is exploiting your nation, Iran, Cuba, China.

Simply yesterday, Vladimir Putin spoke with Maduro and stated their strategic partnership is rising. Are you involved right here that Russia goes to shore up help for the army and intelligence?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: Effectively, I am completely satisfied that Putin needs the world to suppose that, and particularly needs President Trump to suppose that. However I might ask you a query. Do you suppose Putin has sources to spare at the moment or does he have one thing that is extra pressing for him to speculate these sources? I imply serving to a regime that’s going to collapse anyway, no matter what he does, I do not suppose it is a precedence for him.

Nonetheless, I don’t underestimate what the (INAUDIBLE) actors of Tarismo (ph) is likely to be planning on doing as soon as we’re in that transition to democracy. And that may require very environment friendly actions to isolate and neutralize these threats.

And, you already know, we work very arduous to grasp what is the true nature of our armed forces proper now, figuring out these army which we consider could possibly be supportive of a transition to democracy and new authorities –

MARGARET BRENNAN: Have they pledged that to you?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: A few of them, sure. And we consider that over 80 p.c of our armed forces will take part help the democratic motion as soon as the transition is in place.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, inform me about that transition. What sort of help do you should hold the nation collectively, to forestall one other refugee disaster? And do you have got that pledge from the American authorities now?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: We’ll want a whole lot of help, recommendation, info, know-how, not solely from the USA, additionally from multilateral organizations, a few of which we’re already working collectively. Not solely in safety points, however energy provide, meals provide, how can we deliver – you already know, put order in our monetary accounts. How can we restructure our debt. How we open markets for worldwide funding and provides safety to worldwide funding in oil and fuel and infrastructure, essential minerals. I imply, Venezuela is exclusive when it comes to the quantity of the pure endowments we’ve got.

And, you already know, we’re situated three hours by airplane from Florida. So, it is arduous to suppose, you already know, on this shortening of the provision chains that’s within the (INAUDIBLE) shoring course of going down, a greater ally within the area than Venezuela.

On the identical time, you already know, turning Venezuela from the legal hub of the Americas right into a safety defend for the USA and for the remainder of the area is a prime precedence for all.

So, you already know, we’ve got the plans prepared. We have now the groups prepared. We all know what we’ve got to do, the primary 100 hours, and the subsequent 100 days. And most significantly, and I need to insist on this, we’ve got the individuals.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Would that embrace U.S. peacekeeping troops or different troops on the bottom?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: I am – I can not reply that query proper now. I do not suppose that is the case. There are different nations which have supplied help as properly in an effort to strengthen democratic establishments as soon as the federal government elect is in place. However the – we must handle that when we’ve got the, you already know, the federal government elect in place and put so as, bringing order again to our nation.

And one factor that you simply talked about for – in regards to the, you already know, the refugee disaster, it is going to be precisely the nation. The day Maduro goes, you will notice tens of 1000’s, lots of of 1000’s of Venezuelan migrants coming again residence from the USA and everywhere in the world. I imply our diaspora is determined to return to Venezuela. So even from that perspective, it’s a win-win scenario to have democracy in Venezuela.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you suppose it’s protected for these Venezuelans in America to return there now? Some momentary protected standing was simply revoked bit the president for greater than half 1,000,000 Venezuelans right here. Is it protected for them?

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: Completely not. It is going to be protected as soon as Maduro is gone and each single citizen will likely be, you already know, residing freedom and respect in the direction of the legislation. We’ll deliver again rule of legislation. We’ll liberate our political prisoners. And all people will likely be free to talk out what they really feel, what they suppose, what they need for the way forward for their – for their very own future and their households.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Maria Corina Machado, we thanks to your time right this moment. And we will likely be watching.

MARIA CORINA MACHADO: I thanks and once more (ph) for this nice alternative. And God bless Venezuela. Venezuela will likely be free.

(END VT)

MARGARET BRENNAN: Our full dialog is accessible on our YouTube and podcast channels and cbsnews.com.

We’ll be proper again.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)

MARGARET BRENNAN: When you missed the CBS city corridor with Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, final night time, you may see the rebroadcast tonight at 8:00 p.m. on our CBS Information 24/7 streaming community.

That is it for us right this moment. Thanks all for watching. Till subsequent week. For “FACE THE NATION,” I am Margaret Brennan.

(ANNOUNCEMENTS)