On this “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” broadcast, moderated by Margaret Brennan:
- Sen. Invoice Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana
- Sen. Bernie Sanders, Impartial of Vermont
- Nationwide Institutes of Well being Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya
- Nicole Sganga, CBS Information homeland safety and justice correspondent
Click on right here to browse full transcripts from 2026 of “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
MARGARET BRENNAN: I’m Margaret Brennan in Washington.
And this week on Face the Nation: Can a fractured Democratic Celebration unite to flip the Home and Senate within the fall?
Plus, the challenges going through public well being.
As we hit the ultimate stretch of the summer time of ’26, the Senate has wrapped up and headed house. One in all its final objects of enterprise, confirming President Trump’s nominee for lawyer basic, Todd Blanche, who’s squeaked via by one vote, regardless of considerations in regards to the administration’s weaponization of the Justice Division.
We’ll speak with the Republican who put him excessive, Louisiana Senator Invoice Cassidy.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: Plus, following one other progressive-over-establishment upset within the Michigan Senate main, will the Democratic Celebration unite? And the way will these additional left candidates fare in opposition to Republicans within the fall?
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ABDUL EL-SAYED (D-Michigan Senatorial Candidate): Typically, intrafamily squabbles are the most important ones. However everyone knows that, once we stroll out the home, we stand united.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll speak with self-described Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders about how his celebration can push again in opposition to this Republican assault line:
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DONALD TRUMP (President of the US): The unconventional left, the maniacs which can be making an attempt to destroy it with the catastrophe often known as not socialism, communism. It’s communism.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: Then: Amid a rising variety of infections from cyclospora, salmonella, measles, and, sure, COVID-19, we are going to speak with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the top of the Nationwide Institutes of Well being.
It’s all simply forward on Face the Nation.
Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation.
Each the Home and the Senate are actually gone for the summer time, however we start with one lawmaker who hasn’t taken off fairly but for his house state, Louisiana Republican Senator Invoice Cassidy.
Good morning, and thanks for delaying your departure to be right here in particular person. It’s good to speak to you.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY (R-Louisiana): Good to be with you. Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So that you have been skeptical – you made that clear again once we spoke in June – of Todd Blanche and confirming him to be lawyer basic. You probably did late Friday verify him, however you mentioned you’re not completely glad. You little doubt could have concern sooner or later.
And I wish to play for our viewers what you mentioned. Take a pay attention.
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SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: I will probably be criticized for this vote. What’s new? However the folks of Louisiana might be assured that I labored exhausting to know the difficulty and to make the best choice.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: You have been emotional there. Your voice cracked. Why? And why do you suppose you’re going to be criticized?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Oh, you’re going to be criticized.
My voice cracked as a result of my spouse thinks it’s endearing. I believe it’s embarrassing. However, typically, you’re conscious of the unbelievable privilege of representing your state and your nation, unbelievable privilege.
And as a – as a bit boy, I might learn historical past books, and I – and I might examine these nice choices on the Senate flooring. And the truth that I’ve the flexibility to take part, and after an intense 48 hours of arising with a call that wasn’t black or white – you may argue by hook or by crook, and you may give you simply this aspect or simply that aspect of approval.
Now, the truth that I, Invoice Cassidy, was in a position to try this, I’m so privileged. And each time I only for a second am hit by the gravity of that and the glory of that, I get emotional. And – and – and that’s simply – once more, my spouse finds it endearing. I discover it embarrassing.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, it does have an ideal gravity to a call like this. And also you weighed it very fastidiously.
Once we spoke again in June, you – you have been particular in a few of your considerations. And I do know appearing Lawyer Basic Blanche now, who’s set for that affirmation, had posted paperwork, together with he rescinded the order to create the anti-weaponization fund, and he had an unsigned assertion wherein he narrowed the phrases of the Trump IRS protections that you just had objected to. Now they’ll apply simply to Trump, Don Jr., Eric and the Trump Group.
Senator Durbin, who’s the highest Democrat on Judiciary mentioned, these new clarifications, they’re unenforceable. Is he appropriate?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: So, a pair issues.
Once more, yet another time, if you happen to’re on the lookout for a black-or-white choice right here, you’re not going to search out it. This can be a gradation of grey. However what I’m advised almost about the anti-weaponization fund, if you happen to put it within the context of the political setting, the judicial setting, the method you would need to return via with a purpose to reinstate, that successfully is lifeless.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Now, John Cornyn, a former state lawyer basic in Texas, was snug with it. I’m not an lawyer.
MARGARET BRENNAN: It took him some time to get there, although.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Took him some time to get there.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mainly mentioned, we are able to’t take his phrase for it.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: It took him some time to get there, however the truth that John did was essential to me.
To a sure extent, I’m reliant on others which can be bringing me data, and I’ve to belief them on that, not all the things, however a few of that. And I belief John on that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And on giving his household safety from IRS probes?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: That’s completely improper, completely improper. And so I’ll return, this isn’t a black-or-white choice. That’s improper. And no American ought to be focused by the legislation, however no American ought to be above the legislation. And that, frankly, nearly weighed to vote no.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And also you’re simply hoping it – you needed to settle for it ultimately. I imply…
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: So – so, let’s have a look at the constructive. There’s three points to the lawyer basic.
The lawyer basic is meant to provide recommendation to the president, purported to run the Division of Justice and is meant to be sure that the U.S. attorneys nationwide are doing their job. It actually weighs strongly in his favor after I communicate to my U.S. attorneys in Louisiana – and I spoke particularly to David Courcelle and Kurt Wall.
They usually mentioned, pay attention, we’ve got calls as soon as weekly between our workplace and DOJ, they usually give metrics for our prosecutors, and every particular person prosecutor is weighed on that metric. And we’ve had our focus restricted right down to combating violent crime, human and drug trafficking, and going after fraud in applications like Medicare and Medicaid.
And if I want additional sources to carry a case house, we do it. And if there’s a drug kingpin, we get the sources to go after them. And – and our morale is up, not regardless of the accountability, due to the accountability.
Now, if you need a DOJ which is definitely doing its job, you want secure management, and also you want management which is efficient. And in that which is making the best distinction in my life, in your life, within the American folks’s life, there’s lots of constructive issues to say about Todd Blanche.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And you might be assured that he’ll uphold the Structure with the upcoming elections? There are Democrats saying he might not.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Nicely, after all, there’s at all times this existential nervousness.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: However I’m as assured as you might be in regards to the future you might be.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: I can not predict the longer term, and this isn’t a black-or-white choice. However I’m assured on that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to ask you about one thing that’s come up within the information not too long ago. On this program, we’ve got talked extensively in regards to the actually regarding rise in antisemitism on this nation.
There have been remarks previously few days from a few of your Republican colleagues that do appear hateful about different religions, particularly about Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, who simply gained that Democratic main.
Senator Tommy Tuberville mentioned: “Democrats simply voted to ship a terrorist to the Senate. He’s a radical Islamist.”
Nancy Mace mentioned: “Each single Muslim holding public workplace in America is a Malicious program and a menace to each nationwide safety and our republic. We refuse to be silent.”
These are simply two of those statements. Are you snug right here? Does your celebration have to condemn language like this?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: I condemn language like that.
It’s to not say that – let me simply cease. The – the – the Muslims that I usually work with are medical doctors working in a distant space of Louisiana who in any other case wouldn’t have a doctor except Dr. Mohammed truly agreed to maneuver there and be their physician, or he’s the or she is the professor instructing college students one thing constructive.
Now – so it’s important to take each neighborhood in its totality. Each neighborhood has a foul apple, and each neighborhood has these folks, my gosh, weren’t they great folks? Now, my publicity has been to the great folks. I condemn these statements, and everyone ought to be handled as a person. If anyone is terrible, they need to be handled as terrible.
However we shouldn’t deal with everyone as terrible as a result of anyone with whom they’re recognized could also be terrible, if you happen to observe that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I do. Thanks in your readability on that.
I wish to ask you about Social Safety, one thing I do know you’ve been making an attempt to work on right here and reform. It’s an emergency. If you happen to have a look at the Social Safety Board of Trustees, they are saying it’s going to be bancrupt in six years; 70 million beneficiaries will see a 22 p.c minimize to their checks each month, which implies about $500 much less of their pockets every single month.
You’ve acquired just a few months. What are you able to get carried out?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: So we’re making an attempt to get one thing carried out. We have been making an attempt to arrange a course of by which the Senate would invite the Home to affix and current payments that could possibly be an answer. We don’t dictate what the invoice can be. It could possibly be Ron Wyden’s invoice. It could possibly be Bernie Sanders’ invoice. It could possibly be Invoice Cassidy’s invoice.
We’d simply current issues to the Congress to ensure that us to think about, to arrange that course of.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper, a pathway.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: I attempted to get that arrange. Ron Wyden got here to the ground and objected. And I’m pondering, why are you objecting to a course of? It could possibly be your invoice that we select.
Why doesn’t Congress do its job? Congress needs to be political. We’re at all times angling to try to get the benefit, significantly in entrance of an election. As you learn, the actuaries predict this fund is bancrupt in six years. This isn’t the time to be political. It’s the time to be an excellent senator.
I used to be advised by a few my colleagues, I’m a awful politician, however an excellent senator. I might problem everyone at this second to be an excellent senator. And, by the way in which, while you object simply due to politics, as greatest I can inform, that’s simply so extremely improper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, there’s a Democrat trying to do one thing on this. Elizabeth Warren had this op-ed with Bernie Moreno, the Republican from Ohio, this previous week arguing that, with a purpose to assist Social Safety, they need to get rid of the payroll tax cap, which at present applies to the primary 184,500 bucks somebody takes house, the remainder of it being exempt in the event that they make greater than that.
Do you help this proposal?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: First, let me say, this isn’t Republican-Democrat. Dick Durbin is the one who’s main the cost with me to try to get this carried out.
And so, completely, as a bipartisan, sure, let’s arrange that course of as regards. As regards the answer…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure. Sure.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: … that may be one of many issues we take into account. If Elizabeth and Bernie Moreno wish to get their proposal thought of, we first should arrange this course of, and that’s all Dick Durbin and I try to do, is to arrange a course of.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You’re making an attempt to pressure the dialog available. However…
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: And – and, if we give you an answer to pressure the truth that it could be thought of in committee, after which pressure the very fact it could be thought of on the ground. And when you pressure these two issues, we might truly give you an answer this yr.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, AARP opposes your PROMISE Act as a result of they are saying you bought to do the exhausting work now. However you’re saying nobody’s doing the exhausting work now, so you might want to at the very least create the…
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Nobody is doing the exhausting work now.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: And, by the way in which, what I mentioned to AARP, if – would you settle for that we might do that if it wasn’t a fee – they don’t like commissions – if we give you simply senators and representatives…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: … that may come collectively over the subsequent two months with open hearings, after which we might in these subsequent two months have the open hearings, after which we current the options, they mentioned they’d settle for that. And in order that’s what we got here up with.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However how do you get – Bernie Moreno’s right here? OK.You’re right here. However how do you get different Republicans, when President Trump has mentioned – – campaigned on a promise to not contact Social Safety, and you’ve got these midterm races?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: So – so, implicit in your form of query is that you just’re going to chop advantages, that you just’re going to do one thing dangerous. That’s not…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, he mentioned he gained’t contact it.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: That’s not on the desk.
What if you happen to contact it and also you rescue it? I believe the president would contact that. What if you happen to contact it and also you truly improve advantages for some? I believe the president would contact that. However, by the way in which, Congress ought to be appearing independently of the president.
The president will not be Congress. And so we should always do our job and we should always step ahead, regardless of your celebration. Put politics apart.
MARGARET BRENNAN: As you’ve mentioned, although, Congress typically acts like an appendage of the president.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Which is improper. And, proper now…
MARGARET BRENNAN: However do you will have any settlement from management of your celebration that they’ll take this up?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: And, by the way in which, that was – that’s what we have been voting on. Let’s arrange a course of by which the management can be pressured to think about the options put ahead, and any senator might change a specific answer with their very own proposal. It could be the way in which Congress is meant to work.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So you’d be open to issues like elevating the retirement age once more?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: I’m not – I’m not predicting. One, that isn’t a part of my plan. Let me first say that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You don’t wish to be prescriptive within the answer. You simply need the method.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Sure, however I’ve a plan, and we don’t increase the retirement age in my plan. However that mentioned…
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is the sovereign wealth fund?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: … anyone else might have a plan that does that.
What’s that?
MARGARET BRENNAN: That is the sovereign wealth fund plan you had with Senator Kaine?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: That is the one the place you do a funding fund and you place $1.5 trillion in it, and also you permit it to develop with the financial system. It’s what the Canadians do, the Norwegians do, the Japanese do. It’s what the U.S. authorities does with the federal railroad retirement system.
Once you try this, the expansion within the financial system takes care of lots of the issue with the debt.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is anybody on the White Home listening to you?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: So, Howard Lutnick truly spoke. I’ve spoken to he and Bessent and others. However Howard Lutnick, in one among our Republican lunches, spoke about how such an funding fund could possibly be used, as Google makes use of it and others use it, to fulfill future obligations.
And so, actually, they’ve entertained it. And after I – everytime you speak to anyone who does this form of factor, they are saying, like, why aren’t we doing this?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper. Nicely, I wish to speak about this as nicely with – with Senator Sanders, who we’ve got afterward in this system.
I wish to ask you about one thing you will have raised was regarding to you again in June once we spoke. You had a extremely powerful change with the president over the Iran struggle, and also you mentioned you weren’t getting sufficient data at the moment.
You bought a personal briefing. You have been giving them some area to work on the diplomacy. That’s all collapsed now. We’re again in hostilities. Does the president have to ship to the general public some clarification of what’s going on?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Sure, I believe he does.
J.D. Vance got here and spoke to the Republican lunch and did an excellent job of explaining the angle as to how one can go ahead. And somebody mentioned – not me – another person: “J.D., the president wants to provide that very same message to the folks.”
And J.D. mentioned: “Nicely, the president has.”
Nicely, he might have, however it’s being form of overwhelmed by all the things else being mentioned. And so I believe the president wants to come back out and communicate forcefully on what the trail ahead is. And – and, in some unspecified time in the future, it might be that that path ahead works or not, however at the very least there must be that dialogue with the American folks.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you able to clarify to us what that path ahead was that J.D. Vance defined to you?
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SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: So, I’ll do my greatest.
To proceed to place financial strain, for instance, by blockades, upon the Iranians that may trigger them sufficient discomfort that they’ll truly come again to the bargaining desk. On the similar time, proceed to get oil via the Strait of Hormuz. J.D. factors out that oil is $80, greater than the $60 it was in the beginning, however rather a lot lower than it was at $110 on the peak.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: And so we’re having success getting oil out of the strait. And that success blunts the effectiveness of what the Iranians try to do on the Strait of Hormuz.
However that continued financial strain, whereas assuaging the strain on the West, in addition to continued selective operations, is a part of a long-term technique. It’s not one thing that ends it tomorrow, however one thing which step by step brings it to a detailed.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, that is actually form of an prolonged, open-ended hostility state of affairs?
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: I gained’t communicate for J.D., however I do suppose that, once more, we – everyone assumes that one thing’s going to start out and finish.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: However we’ve been with the Iranians now for 47 years. And I believe their level is, is that it is a continuation of that coverage by different means.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Cassidy, thanks for becoming a member of us right now.
SENATOR BILL CASSIDY: Thanks, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Face the Nation will probably be again in a minute. Stick with us.
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MARGARET BRENNAN: And we flip now to Vermont impartial Senator Bernie Sanders, who joins us from Burlington.
Good morning to you, Senator Sanders.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS (I-Vermont): Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’re 86 days away from the midterms. Tuesday in Minnesota, progressive candidate Peggy Flanagan, the present lieutenant governor, who you will have endorsed, is taking over a extra average candidate, Angie Craig.
Do you suppose that is going to be an analogous dynamic to Michigan, the place this was a decent race?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: I believe it’s going to be a decent race. I hope very a lot that Peggy wins.
I believe what we’re seeing in Minnesota, Margaret, in Michigan, and all throughout this nation is that folks perceive that we’re dwelling with an financial system that’s rigged. You may have working households, 60 p.c of our folks dwelling paycheck to paycheck. Folks can’t afford groceries, housing, well being care, primary requirements of life.
And, on the similar time, they’re seeing the richest folks on this nation develop into even richer. Persons are bored with the established order politics and institution insurance policies. They need actual change. And Peggy Flanagan is about bringing about actual change, standing as much as the massive cash pursuits.
There’s a purpose why the tremendous PACs and the billionaires are flooding Minnesota with every kind of cash, similar factor as Michigan. They don’t need anyone to face up for the working class in Minnesota.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However you continue to are assured Flanagan goes to drag this off?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: I’m sorry?
MARGARET BRENNAN: You might be assured Flanagan will win?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: No, I’m not assured. I believe it’s going to be a really, very shut race.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: I believe she is being outspent seven to at least one. And, below these circumstances, it’s powerful for anyone to win.
However she has an excellent floor recreation. I do know she has lots of grassroots help, and I’ll do all the things that I can to see that she does win.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
I do know that you just haven’t gotten concerned in lots of governor’s races, aside from Maine. However Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong in Wisconsin is anticipated to win her Democratic main. There’s been some consideration to a few of her social media posts not too long ago, however she has this platform of free childcare, state-run grocery shops, extra well being care subsidies. She needs to boost earnings taxes on millionaires.
A few of this does appear to align together with your platform, so I’m questioning, you already know, why don’t you help her? Is a few of what she helps too excessive for you?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: No, elevating taxes on the wealthy, ensuring that everyone in Wisconsin or America has well being care with no consideration sounds fairly cheap to me.
I simply – look, we’ve got a restricted variety of races that we might be concerned in. Most of my concentrate on is getting folks elected to the US Senate, getting folks elected to the Home of Representatives. So, I – with one exception, we’ve got not been concerned in a governor’s race, and that’s anyone who I’ve identified in Maine for a lot of, a few years.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Who – who’s now working for the Senate in Maine?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: That’s proper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That’s proper. Positive.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: That’s proper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: There was in Michigan this historic turnout, however the race was nearer than many had anticipated. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, former public well being official, he did win by only one level.
Since that point, President Trump has mentioned he’s comfortable that he gained as a result of he’s going to be a better candidate to defeat, mainly, is what he’s implying. And “The Economist” has polling displaying the celebration’s victory likelihood has fallen to 48 p.c, placing Democrats’ possibilities of controlling the Senate at 49 p.c.
Clearly, you need to withstand that, that – if – that projection. What’s your technique on a coalition right here?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Nicely, I have a look at that evaluation a bit bit in another way.
Margaret, in Michigan, in my opinion, Abdul’s victory was one of the extraordinary victories in fashionable political historical past. You inform me, have you ever ever heard of a candidate successful who was outspent 9 to at least one? Sixty million {dollars} in billionaire-funded tremendous PAC cash got here into that race, half from AIPAC, and but he managed to win.
Now, I believe what we’re seeing throughout this nation, from coast to coast, is that working persons are sick and uninterested in being the one main nation on Earth that doesn’t assure well being care to all folks as a human proper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: They’re sick and uninterested in large earnings and wealth inequality.
Who believes – now, I do know we don’t focus on this a lot in Congress or within the media, however no person that I do know thinks it is smart that one man in America right now, Mr. Musk, owns extra wealth than the underside half of American society. Who believes that we should always maintain and preserve a corrupt marketing campaign finance system, the place billionaires are undermining American democracy?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: The rationale that we’re going to win is folks, whether or not you’re conservative Republican or Democrat, bored with the established order and of the huge ranges of inequality that exist proper now.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You may have written a letter that was shared with us to Democratic leaders in Congress and the DNC calling for public funding of elections and for the celebration to ban political motion committees from taking part in main races.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Proper.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I perceive your principled argument right here. Nevertheless, Democrats have a monetary useful resource downside that may be very actual as in comparison with Republicans and their struggle chest. Why would the celebration disarm?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: We’re not speaking about disarmament. We’re speaking about throughout the Democratic main, not within the basic election.
The marketing campaign finance system right now is corrupt. In Michigan, what you had is AIPAC spending $30 million within the Democratic main making an attempt to defeat Abdul. They misplaced. And now they’re saying, we’re going to help this man Rogers, who’s a Republican.
So what you might be seeing is, it doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a Democrat, Republican. The particular pursuits – and it’s not simply AIPAC. And it’s the A.I. folks. It’s crypto. They may take over the primaries and attempt to get their viewpoint via, get their particular pursuits completed, no matter which celebration is – so, to me, it’s insane that the Democrats would permit anyone to come back in, an entity to come back in…
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: … that may then, in the event that they lose, go into the opposite celebration.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK. We have to speak extra about this, however I’ve to pay our payments right here and take a break. So please stick with us, Senator Sanders.
(LAUGHTER)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be proper again with extra from Vermont impartial Senator Bernie Sanders and the top of the Nationwide Institutes of Well being, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, plus much more Face the Nation.
So, stick with us.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Welcome again to “FACE THE NATION.”
We return now to our dialog with Senator Bernie Sanders.
Senator, earlier than the break we have been speaking about your concern about tremendous PACs and their involvement in primaries. You mentioned you don’t need Democrats to unilaterally disarm. Simply to make clear, you highlighted $60 million poured into Michigan to defeat Dr. El-Sayed. Half of it got here from AIPAC. They’re now saying they’re going to help the Republican within the basic, which you additionally identified. Are you OK with Democrats accepting PAC cash within the basic, however not within the main?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): Look, the world that we dwell in, till we eliminate Residents United and eliminate tremendous PACs and transfer to public funding of elections, that’s the actuality. You may’t permit Democratic candidates to be outspent 50 to at least one. However it’s a corrupt marketing campaign finance system, and Democrats can take cost of what takes place inside their very own primaries proper now. Basic election, can’t. However inside primaries, Democrats can get tremendous PACs outs. That’s what they need to do.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to focus in on AIPAC specifically, as a result of Dr. El-Sayed campaigned on this platform of slicing unconditional assist to international locations, not simply Israel. He mentioned, Egypt, the nation his dad and mom emigrated from, minimize it to Jordan, minimize it to Pakistan, minimize it to Saudi Arabia. He listed various international locations, and Israel.
His point out of Israel and the struggle in Gaza has drawn lots of criticism. President Trump mentioned it’s hate of Jewish folks.
Once you communicate, I do know you might be very particular in referring to the right-wing authorities of Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister. Would you advise Dr. El-Sayed and different progressive candidates to talk in a manner that doesn’t invite as a lot criticism?
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Look, I believe Abdul has run a superb marketing campaign. And he’s greater than able to making his personal political judgements. However I believe, Margaret, all around the nation persons are deeply involved that when we’ve got so many issues at house, we’ve got folks sleeping out on the streets, folks can’t afford well being care, we’re spending billions and billions of {dollars} on the right-wing extremist Netanyahu authorities, which has carried out horrific issues to the Palestinian folks. Folks – many individuals, specialists, together with myself, take into account what’s going there as a genocide. And I believe whether or not you’re a Democrat, Republican, conservative, progressive, we don’t suppose that we ought to be persevering with to fund an extremist authorities like that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Some MAGA candidates additionally make that argument. However it is a actual assault line being centered on Dr. El-Sayed specifically.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: Nicely, let’s be clear. I imply from Trump on down, you already know, you will have Trump (AUDIO GAP) who’s, in some ways, an authoritarian sort and he’s going to go after El-Sayed as a result of, you already know, for racist causes. I believe their first announcement after Abdul gained is, he’s a Muslim. And we’re all purported to hate Muslims. , these guys have gotten nothing to say in regards to the main crises going through our nation. All they’ll do is enchantment to racism, we’re communists, you already know, every kind of nonsense like that.
However I believe that on the finish of the day the folks of Michigan perceive that the established order will not be working. We’d like a candidate, like Abdul, who has the center to face up for working class households. This man wrote a e book, he’s a physician, on Medicare for all.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS: The present well being care system is damaged. We’ve acquired to ensure well being care to all folks. Abdul understands that and can assist us transfer in that path.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Sanders, we’ll go away it there. We’ll going to speak about well being care subsequent with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. So, we’ll proceed that a part of the dialog.
We’ll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’re joined now by the director of the Nationwide Institutes of Well being, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.
Good morning to you, Physician.
JAY BHATTACHARYA, MD (Director, Nationwide Institute of Well being): Good morning.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And we should always point out, you’re additionally serving to to run the CDC till the brand new director is sworn in as nicely.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Till subsequent Wednesday, sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Till subsequent Wednesday.
So, let me ask you about various issues that I believe folks at house are fearful about, significantly across the meals provide. The cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce from Mexico is now in 15 states. There have been two deaths this week because of it. Yesterday, USDA issued an alerts for a variety of merchandise that will have salmonella, together with meat and poultry. Twenty-seven states are affected by salmonella, probably linked to jalapenos, however cilantro, pink onion, avocado additionally listed within the CDC discover. Albertson’s, a grocery retailer, simply recalled some objects. There’s danger of salmonella in eggs in Texas, in accordance with the CDC. After which you will have this screwworm outbreak affecting beef.
That is overwhelming for somebody going right into a grocery retailer proper now. Why do they appear uncontrolled?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Nicely, the cyclospora outbreak is bigger than it usually is. I imply usually there’s truly cyclospora instances. The – so, the 2 deaths that you just talked about, they occurred in late July – late June, early July, earlier than we recognized the supply. And so, of us which can be listening, they’ll relaxation assured, the CDC and the FDA are working exhausting to hint again precisely the place these outbreaks are occurring from, intervening with the suppliers to be sure that they don’t – and doing recollects to be sure that they – that the illness hasn’t – you already know, that the situation doesn’t unfold.
I imply, it’s powerful. You go to a grocery retailer. You purchase lettuce. You say, hey, can I purchase the lettuce?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: And what’d say to of us listening, we’re working exhausting to be sure that the contaminated sources don’t get onto the cabinets. And if you happen to’re fearful, you should buy the – purchase the lettuce however be sure you wash it fastidiously. Don’t eat the outer leaves. And if you happen to’re actually fearful, simply, you already know, cook dinner your greens.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However we’re not listening to from the FDA. I imply it – ought to there be a restriction on imports from central Mexico proper now? It looks as if lots of issues are tied again.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure, I imply, I believe the important thing factor is that once we discover a contaminated supply, we intervene. I can’t communicate for the FDA, thank God. I imply it’s simply the NIH and CDC. However I can say that the oldsters who I’ve labored with on the FDA are – they’re an ideal staff of oldsters which can be – which can be monitoring again and discovering the supply of those outbreaks.
And for cyclospora particularly, it’s sophisticated as a result of the – for technical causes, it’s a lot – it’s extra totally different than if it was only a micro organism to search out the precise supply. However they’ve carried out an ideal job discovering it. They usually’ve been cooperating with the CDC staff that I’ve led the previous few months to attempt to establish the supply. And, you already know, it’s – what we all know now’s due to that arduous work that’s gone on.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
However there are additionally various different well being points, together with measles instances now at their highest stage in 35 years. The CDC says solely ten U.S. states have measles vaccine protection charges above the 95 p.c threshold within the prior college yr. That’s so key as a result of that’s, as you already know, a marker for mainly a option to cease transmission, herd immunity.
Do you imagine that the federal authorities must make a extremely full- throated push to inform dad and mom, go get your children vaccinated with the MMR vaccine?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: , one of many first issues I did as CDC director, I believe it was again in February of this yr, was that there was a giant outbreak in South Carolina. And I went on to – I went on – I don’t know if TV is the best phrase, however I went on digital camera and I really useful that one of the best ways to finish the measles outbreak there was to have their child – dad and mom vaccinate their children from measles.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: And the outbreak has now led to South Carolina, partly due to that.
There’s been lots of – lots of outbreaks, not simply in the US, however around the globe.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: And, you already know, it’s – lots of it has to do with form of a collapse in form of public belief in lots of science – you already know, public well being measures that occurred in the course of the pandemic, for causes we are able to – we are able to focus on. For me, an important factor is to attempt to regain that belief.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper. However why not – you may have TV adverts. You may have one thing that’s extra of a nationwide push. It was notable final week that Secretary Kennedy went on tv and did say, dad and mom ought to get children vaccinated from measles as a result of it’s efficient at stopping an infection roughly 97 p.c of the time. That was a change for him. He has not at all times been that clear, as you already know. Why not blast that throughout the airwaves of America?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: I imply I believe that I’ve carried out my greatest to attempt to try this. Each time anybody’s requested me about vaccinating their children from measles, I say precisely that, that one of the best ways to guard your children from measles is to get the vaccine for meals. –
MARGARET BRENNAN: This nation’s going to lose its measles elimination standing in November.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: As did Canada. As did Mexico. As did the U.Okay.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However that’s not accessible, proper, the gold customary of science.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: However, you already know, I believe the factor is –
MARGARET BRENNAN: That MAHA –
(CROSS TALK)
JAY BHATTACHARYA: I believe the factor is, if you happen to have a look at the truly what’s occurred, just like the – there are particular states the place there’s – we’ve got these outbreaks, a giant outbreak in Texas, which has now been addressed. Large outbreak in Arizona and Utah that’s been addressed. South Carolina, that’s been addressed.
Now what we noticed was an outbreak in Virginia. Once more, coming down sharply in now Pennsylvania. It’s particular communities of those who have – which can be the very best danger that we’ve got to concentrate on, in addition to the broader form of message that’s essential for kids to be vaccinated from the measles if we wish to handle the measles outbreak.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, that’s why I introduced up herd immunity as a result of it places everybody in danger, proper, not simply folks.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However on this situation, you have been down in Atlanta this previous week. That is one yr since that horrific taking pictures at CDC headquarters.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Officer David Rose was honored this previous week. He was killed final yr defending CDC staff from a gunman. And we should always word, he was a fight veteran, a United States Marine, who had simply graduated 5 months prior from the police academy. Three children left behind.
The shooter was motivated by misinformation in regards to the Covid vaccine. That’s the reason he shot over 100 bullets into the home windows of the CDC.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: And, you already know, I –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is sufficient being carried out to counter this type of misinformation?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: I imply, I ought to begin with, I acquired to speak with Officer Rose’s spouse just a few months again. One of many first issues I did is I – you already know, to honor him and his sacrifice in defending the those who work on the CDC, the superb those who work on the CDC, was we – you already know, we renamed the road that leads into the CDC after him. And it was a very nice occasion.
I’ll inform you, the factor is, I wish to concentrate on consideration on Officer Rose as a result of I don’t – I believe what the shooter did was horrific. And I believe that, you already know, if you happen to speak about why shooters do issues, the actually basically –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, his father mentioned he was brainwashed in regards to the Covid vaccine and thought it was making him suicidal. That’s what he’s – the vengeance was when he mentioned he was going to shoot up the CDC.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: I imply, Margaret, I imply the factor is rather like, to speak in regards to the shooter places the emphasis on anyone’s – I imply I believe we shouldn’t be placing our emphasis on the shooter.
MARGARET BRENNAN: No, I’m on misinformation about –
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure. I imply I believe the important thing – the important thing factor is, there’s a lack of public belief in public well being that occurred partly due to lots of – frankly, even on this community, and on different networks, there was a specific single viewpoint put throughout in the course of the Covid pandemic about how – you already know, that led to issues that basically did trigger hurt to folks. The varsity closure might be the primary factor that left the –
MARGARET BRENNAN: This isn’t a productive line of claims. We lined Covid in depth on this program, like no different Sunday present did.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: I’m not blaming you particularly. What I’m saying is, you wish to speak about misinformation, the sorts of selections and form of the general public form of face of public well being in the course of the pandemic led to many individuals shedding belief in public well being –
MARGARET BRENNAN: The Trump administration officers?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: No, I imply, I imply like Biden. So, Biden, for example, censored me –
MARGARET BRENNAN: The pandemic started below the Trump administration.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: However in the course of the – however in the course of the – however in the course of the –
MARGARET BRENNAN: And we put these officers on our air.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Simply so we’re clear, the Biden administration censored me, proper? They censored – they despatched out direct assaults on individuals who disagreed on the Covid – on form of whether or not the Covid vaccine stopped it –
MARGARET BRENNAN: RFK Jr. known as the Covid vaccine “the deadliest vaccine ever made.”
JAY BHATTACHARYA: I – no, I – it is best to speak to Bobby. However I can inform you what –
MARGARET BRENNAN: That’s misinformation. And we’re not being clear about that. And I believe that’s harmful, wouldn’t you agree?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Folks misplaced their jobs, Margaret, as a result of the Biden administration censored folks and mentioned, look, you may’t even speak in regards to the Covid vaccine harms.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’re speaking a couple of taking pictures.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure, and I’m speaking about why you will have the form of mistrust that’s led to the form of – form of issues that you just’re speaking – have been speaking about earlier in public well being. That mistrust was not attributable to President Trump. And it wasn’t attributable to Bobby. It was attributable to lots of form of actually basically –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Misinformation –
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure, however typically unfold by the federal government itself relating to pure immunity, closing of colleges, closures of masks mandates. Folks misplaced their jobs due to these vaccine mandates that didn’t make any public well being sense.
So, if you wish to speak about public belief, it’s important to embrace that totally, proper? You may’t simply speak about it in a slim, political manner.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I’m speaking a couple of taking pictures on the CDC and an officer you mentioned you simply went to honor.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That’s what I used to be speaking about. You’re speaking about one thing else completely.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: No, no, you’re making an attempt – you’re speaking about, Margaret –
MARGARET BRENNAN: I additionally requested you about shoring up public well being in vaccines.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Margaret, simply to be blunt, you’re – what you’re speaking about is – what you’re speaking about is, you’re making an attempt guilty the taking pictures on Bobby.
MARGARET BRENNAN: No, I’m not. I’m studying you what his father (ph) mentioned.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: No, what you’re studying – what you’re – what you’re saying – what you’re implying is that someway the dearth of public belief, proper? So –
MARGARET BRENNAN: I’m not speaking about him. I’m speaking about your go to.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure, and my go to –
MARGARET BRENNAN: And is sufficient being carried out?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: And I – this was a yr – I believe it’s actually unlucky, Margaret –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Let’s speak about, because you wish to restore public belief, inform me what you’re doing now, as a result of “The Washington Put up” and “Bloomberg” reported the White Home is getting ready an government order on vaccines and autism. What’s it going to prescribe? What’s it going to do? Why are we seeing one other announcement right here after I know you might be launching analysis right into a plethora of points which can be contributing components, probably, to autism? Why would the White Home be saying solely have a look at this factor?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Nicely, I don’t – I imply, you would need to ask the president in regards to the specifics of the manager order. I’ll inform you what we’re doing.
MARGARET BRENNAN: As a result of is it going to – do you suppose that’s restoring belief in vaccines?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: The aim of the – regardless of the – I imply I – you may ask the president in regards to the government order. However I’ll inform you what the main target of the president has been –
MARGARET BRENNAN: You don’t know in regards to the government order?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: I don’t – I gained’t be capable of inform you particularly what’s on it as a result of I don’t suppose it’s carried out but. However I – you may ask the president about it.
What I can inform you is that, the president cares deeply, as does Bobby, in regards to the rise in autism. I do know you do as nicely. There are such a lot of households across the nation which have had, you already know, have confronted the problems of this, proper?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure. They usually need actual data.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: And so I, because the NIH director, have been centered on ensuring that we’ve got science that addresses that very sophisticated query about why we’ve seen an increase in autism. It’s not going to be a easy reply. And I – final yr I approved one thing known as the Autism Information Science Initiative, that we’re going to have a giant form of early set of – set of outcomes from it in a pair weeks from the dozen and extra scientific groups which were funded to have a look at this, with a mandate of pondering very broadly, not simply genes, not simply environmental exposures, however potential interactions.
We don’t know – I – if you happen to ask me, as a scientist, do I do know why we’ve seen this rise in autism, I’ll inform you, I don’t know the reply to that query.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: And the truth that it will get so tied up with, OK, is it – is it vaccines, not vaccines? What it does is it sends a sign to scientists that, if you happen to work on this matter, you’re going to get destroyed if you happen to get the improper reply.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: I’ve tried my hardest. The way in which you construct public belief is permit folks to speak and suppose. With out that form of form of political overlay, I’ve tried my very hardest as NIH director to make – to permit that to occur.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Which is so key for science. Which is why I’m asking you why the president, placing out an order particularly centered on one what appears to be preconceived notion, how that wouldn’t be undermining what I’m speaking about.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Nicely, you’re leaping forward. I imply I don’t know precisely what’s on this government order. Neither do you. So, it’s not – sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely, it’s fascinating that you just don’t.
My colleague Matt Gutman right here at CBS requested you final week whether or not you suppose vaccines trigger autism. You mentioned, you don’t know for sure. You mentioned, there isn’t proof that any vaccine causes autism, however you additionally don’t have proof that vaccines don’t. Mother and father are pretending to ship their children again to high school.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: OK, so simply so – I simply wish to be very, very clear what I truly mentioned.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Please be clear.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Ought to dad and mom belief that they’ll go vaccinate their children when their physician tells them to take action for them to return to high school?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure, I believe – I believe that the – that oldsters, for most youngsters, particularly for the measles vaccines, the DTP (ph), all the usual childhood vaccines, it’s essential that oldsters vaccinate their children.
So far as can they really feel assured sending them again to high school? , I simply – simply to push bac some. It was an incredible mistake to trigger dad and mom to worry that – about sending their children to high school in the course of the Covid pandemic. The children have been higher off in class. We shouldn’t be scaring the general public –
MARGARET BRENNAN: I’m speaking about what folks do now. It’s August. About to be September. Youngsters are going again to high school. I’m not speaking about 2020. I’m speaking about 2026.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure, however, Margaret, you’re speaking in regards to the – you’re speaking about – we’re speaking in regards to the why folks have –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Readability from the federal authorities and the highest well being official.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure, OK, simply so we’re clear. If you would like readability, let me offer you some readability.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Please.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: The rationale why you will have this downside in public belief is as a result of what occurred in 2020 has not but been addressed. To be –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Can these dad and mom belief you and the advice that they need to go get their children vaccinated to return to high school?
JAY BHATTACHARYA: Sure. I imply, I believe – I imply the dad and mom, ought to they belief me? I imply I’m giving my suggestion. I vaccinated my children. I don’t suppose that it’s a – it’s – I believe if you wish to defend your children from these form of parental ailments, sure, it is best to vaccinate your children. However it’s much more essential that these children go to high school. That they, on no account, form, or kind ought to this present or some other present prefer it perpetuate the concept sending their children to high school is worse as a result of there are going to be some well being dangers there when it’s simply not true, proper?
If you wish to defend your children from these preventable ailments, vaccinate your children. I’ve been very, very clear about that. However it’s a – it’s a mistake, and it contributes to the dearth of public belief if you happen to form of fearmonger round, oh, if you happen to ship your children to high school, nicely, you is perhaps round unvaccinated children. That’s an incredible mistake, proper? If you happen to vaccinate your children, you may defend your children from these dangers, no matter they’re.
And in any case, it’s higher to ship the children to high school, as a result of that’s how you retain children wholesome.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure. We wish to ship our children to high school.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: I’m not – however now addressing what occurred in 2020 is a part of that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: If you wish to say why there’s this lack of public belief, it’s important to actually wrap your arms round that.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However you belief the science and the well being employees and the vaccines now’s what I perceive you have been saying. And so that’s the message that I believe we are able to –
JAY BHATTACHARYA: I imply, belief the science. I imply I’ve appeared on the scientific proof and there’s heaps – I imply I personally have made choices for my household round these strains too.
MARGARET BRENNAN: OK.
JAY BHATTACHARYA: So, sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That’s good to know. Thanks.
We’re going to go away it there, as a result of I do know we’re working out of time.
We’ll be again in a momentum.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: Federal officers say water methods in at the very least a dozen states have been breached by cyberattacks, and that the record might develop.
Becoming a member of us now’s CBS Information homeland safety and justice correspondent, Nicole Sganga, to inform us extra.
Nicole, I’ve heard you speaking about it this week, and it was actually fascinating to me. We had up a map displaying all of the states affected right here. How did they detect this, and are the water methods secure?
NICOLE SGANGA: Let’s begin with, there have been no impacts to the consuming waters in affected communities nationwide, Margaret. I believe that’s essential for viewers to know. Solely 5 of the dozen affected states have publicly acknowledged it. You’ll see it on the map.
However operators realized that one thing was improper right here after they couldn’t entry their very own pc methods. Primarily, they have been locked out by these militia cyber actors.
And what we all know proper now’s that cyber attackers have been going after the economic management methods. Primarily, the small computer systems that function the pumps, the valves, the water circulate and the water strain. They usually’ve been doing that as a result of so many of those methods are distant managed, and have been below Covid, which allows them to face the web immediately. And there are simply not the firewalls in place to guard these methods. The truth is, a lot of them use default or weak passwords, basically enabling these attackers to go proper in.
In at the very least one case, and that is of specific concern to the FBI, not solely did attackers enter these uncovered industrial management methods, however they really messed with one thing known as the latter (ph) logic, which basically gave new directions to the pc about how one can function this method. Now once more, we’ve caught this to date, however it is a actual concern.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, there have been cases again in 2023, when these Iranian-linked hackers have been accused of accessing water methods.
NICOLE SGANGA: Sure.
MARGARET BRENNAN: In July of this yr, Homeland Safety, which has that division CISA, which is meant to be defending this stuff –
NICOLE SGANGA: Positive.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Mentioned that there was concern about Iranian-affiliated cyber concentrating on throughout essential infrastructure. Is that the federal government saying Iran did this?
NICOLE SGANGA: I believe lots of cyber specialists are saying, if it appears like a duck and it quacks like a duck, it’s most likely Iran. However there are some nuances right here.
This marketing campaign, such as you talked about, resembles earlier Iranian-linked campaigns, proper? You may have concentrating on uncovered industrial controllers exploiting this weak form of authentication. A willingness, by the way in which, to create precise disruption, Margaret. So, typically occasions once we’d see Chinese language- linked cyberattacks, (INAUDIBLE), what the Chinese language need is simply to realize a foothold within the system and to put quiet. Right here we’re seeing precise disruptions, which is a part of beforehand the M.O. for Iran.
That being mentioned, these are very unsophisticated assaults. And so, there are a plethora of cyber actors who could possibly be liable for this, together with those that is perhaps making an attempt to imitate Iran. Because of this it’s essential to not simply have a look at the behavioral similarities earlier than the FBI and DHS to make use of intelligence and to attribute these publicly. Which might take weeks or months, in lots of instances as a result of the forensic methods are simply not good in these water municipalities.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure.
NICOLE SGANGA: Very last thing right here, how we reply in and of itself is a sign, proper? If a nation state can degrade water methods in roughly a dozen states, and the response is only a shrug and an advisory –
MARGARET BRENNAN: Proper.
NICOLE SGANGA: That’s an invite to overseas adversaries sooner or later to take a success on U.S. essential infrastructure and count on no penalties.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Such a key level.
Nicole Sganga, thanks in your reporting.
We’ll be proper again.
(ANNOUNCEMENTS)
MARGARET BRENNAN: That’s it for us right now. Thanks all for watching. Till subsequent week. For “FACE THE NATION,” I’m Margaret Brennan.
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