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. Look ahead to being on right here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to speak about numerous issues. Let me simply decide up the place Senator Kelly left off on the shutdown. He mentioned, hey, you might all hash this out this week, Chief Thune made that supply. I do know you have got mentioned 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 return to the desk and do the proper 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 only quite a few folks. After we’re trying what’s taking place with WIC, there are lots of people which might be being affected by the Democrats enjoying politics, and they should really do what’s proper, and that’s work for the American folks. 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 options, like finish authorities shutdown, and I believe you may 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 folks. And once we’re speaking concerning the ACA, look, Chief Thune mentioned it finest. We’ve got at all times mentioned we could have a dialog about this. We consider you could stroll and chew gum on the identical time. Democrats, for some purpose, do not suppose that that is attainable. They should come to the desk, open the federal government again up, after which we’re comfortable to have a dialog concerning 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 must be off offsetting a few of these prices? As a result of we appeared on the numbers, I believe it is like 130,000 Alabamans are vulnerable 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 mentioned solely account for about 4% of what they’re speaking about growing in 2026. The underlying problem is the brokenness of Obamacare. That’s the drawback. And so when you concentrate on this, you have received the 2021 premiums that they’ve given to everybody. Do you perceive Democrats are literally asking for us to proceed premiums which might be going to millionaires in some circumstances. We have got to be increasingly accountable with taxpayer {dollars}. And if you’d like these well being care methods to even be capable to work, then now we have to have a bigger dialog. However that is completely, completely ridiculous to sit down right here and say we’re afraid folks can not afford their well being care, however on the identical time we will deny them their paycheck. These two issues don’t match up, and Democrats want to really be sincere about it and get the- get the federal government again open and we’re comfortable to have conversations as now we have at all times mentioned, 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 determination by an Alabama court docket that dominated frozen embryos are youngsters. He referred to as it a ‘unhealthy determination,’ and all of us most likely bear in mind what it did for these households attempting to undergo fertilization remedy at the moment. With the adjustments that have been introduced, who’s going to have the ability to afford this now?
SEN. BRITT: Look, tens of millions 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 folks 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 might be really fighting infertility points. We have got about 9% of males, 11% of ladies who’re going through these challenges. President Trump believes in being, clearly, the President that’s serving to arduous working Individuals, serving to dad and mom, serving to households. He is turned the Republican Celebration into that which is so thrilling, and we wish to guarantee that they are going to have the ability to try this at a greater- at a better scale. And in order that’s precisely what this can do. Hundreds of thousands extra could have entry. And moreover, we will drive the price down. And so I talked this weekend, really with a pal of mine, who got here as much as me and mentioned, I can not let you know how a lot I recognize this, as a result of the affordability problem was the obstacle. And he or she really needed to go off- over shores- abroad to attempt to have the ability to convey life into this world. It is thrilling for folks like her. And I’ve had grandparents and fogeys and mothers and dads inform me what a sport changer that is for them as they begin and develop their household.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, one cycle of IVF can price between $15,000 to $20,000 and decrease earnings girls clearly have a problem with that. However through the marketing campaign, President Trump mentioned 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: Nicely, Margaret first. I imply, the Inexpensive Care Act is damaged, and that’s what we’re seeing proper now. I imply, you have 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 folks. Nobody is paying much less now that Obamacare is in place. And so we have to be tremendous sincere about that. We additionally need to guarantee that we’re being accountable transferring ahead. What President Trump has executed is made this accessible to tens of millions extra folks. 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 wish to legislate, although to pressure it to be?
SEN. BRITT: What we’re doing to– what wish to do is I would like as many individuals as attainable 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 wish to assist households as they’ve youngsters and are in a position to, you know- on this surroundings proper now, we hear from folks on a regular basis, whether or not it’s bringing life into this world, whether or not it’s the youngster care price, simply the affordability side. And I’m so proud to see President Trump lead on these. Really, should you have a look at the Working Households Tax Lower, Margaret, that is the very first time now we have really elevated the kid care tax credit and likewise the DCAP tax credit in 20 years in some cases, and 40 in others. So we’re attempting to guarantee that folks 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 folks to begin and develop their households. That is what that is doing. That is just- the simply the beginning. And look ahead to persevering with to work for the American folks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Actually rapidly. You have been attempting to label Russia a state sponsor of terrorism for stealing Ukrainian youngsters. Does the President’s determination 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 conflict due to President Biden. If President Biden had despatched the weaponry wanted to Ukraine on the entrance finish, once we noticed Russia build up. We would not be on this conflict to begin with, once you’re taking a look at what President Trump has executed, he has met with Zelensky extra instances in his 9 months in workplace, then President Biden did his complete time. So, these conversations assist us to have resolution–
MARGARET BRENNAN: –However do you have got assist to assist convey it to the ground?
SEN. BRITT: Nicely, the First Girl clearly has been main on this. We’ve got constructed up assist. We’re having a listening to subsequent week. I believe you will notice this come to the ground if there’s not a decision within the quick order, as a result of we consider in bringing these youngsters house, Margaret. It is about 20,000 youngsters which were stolen from their properties. That is one thing everybody ought to be capable to get behind. And Vladimir Putin ought to pay the worth for.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Katie Britt of the state of Alabama. Thanks to your time this morning, ‘Face the Nation’ shall be again again in a minute. Stick with us.
