In an interview on Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan on Sept. 27, 2026, Sen. John Kennedy, a Republican from Louisiana, spoke about U.S. policy toward Iran and federal spending. Kennedy criticized Iran's diplomatic overtures to the president, calling them insincere and stating that the president had rejected them. He argued for maintaining economic sanctions and a blockade against Iran, describing the country as a "sucking chest wound" that drains U.S. resources. He also warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil trade, could either escalate tensions or lead to a resolution, affecting oil prices and the cost of living worldwide. Kennedy acknowledged that some Republicans were frustrated with the current Iran policy, noting that 14 senators had voted to object to the conflict, with two of those votes passing. He suggested the president should focus more on domestic issues, such as the rising cost of living, and consider giving a nationwide address to explain why the U.S. remains involved in Iran. On the topic of federal spending, Kennedy defended the president’s decision to cancel nearly $1 billion in funds approved by Congress. He criticized the allocation of money to what he called "spending porn"—projects he viewed as wasteful, such as circumcisions in Zambia and electric buses in Rwanda. He argued that Congress had failed to act on cutting such expenditures and supported the administration’s efforts to eliminate what he considered unnecessary spending. Kennedy also questioned the use of taxpayer money for political advertising, criticizing the practice of using public funds to promote private political figures. He specifically mentioned a commercial featuring former President Trump and proposed new rules to prevent politicians from using public money for personal promotion. He also suggested that no politician should have a building named after them while they are alive, a policy already in place in Louisiana.