AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 11, 2026
Sen. John Barrasso Talks Senate Midterms on "Face the Nation"
On October 11, 2026, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, joined CBS News' "Face the Nation" with Margaret Brennan to discuss key issues leading up to the 2026 elections, including the senate midterms, fuel prices, U.S. energy policy, and recent ethics questions.
Republican Strategy and Senate Battlegrounds
Barrasso shared his perspective on the upcoming senate midterms and the Republican strategy. Speaking from Casper, Wyoming, he emphasized what he sees as a major difference between Republican and Democratic candidates, stating that Republicans represent "common sense" while the Democrat nominees are taking their party "way to the left." Barrasso pointed to multiple battleground states—New Hampshire, Michigan, and Minnesota—where he believes there are opportunities for Republicans to pick up seats. He specifically criticized the Democrat nominee in Michigan, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, for not identifying Iran as a greater threat than Israel, which Barrasso framed as evidence of extremism in Democratic candidates.
Fuel Prices and Russian Diesel Imports
A key topic of the interview was the impact of high fuel prices on American consumers. Margaret Brennan cited former President Trump's announcement to import Russian diesel fuel to aid farmers, ranchers, and truckers, a move that raised questions considering bans on Russian energy imports enacted since 2022. When asked about the legality and implications of this policy shift, Barrasso said the president is focused on lowering energy costs and helping those impacted by high prices. He acknowledged this was a difficult balance between addressing U.S. energy needs and applying pressure on Russia amid the Ukraine conflict.
Debates Over U.S. Energy Policy
Barrasso contrasted Republican and Democratic approaches, arguing that Democrats have been resistant to increasing American energy production and prefer electric vehicles over fossil fuels. He pointed to lawsuits against oil companies and state policies in California, such as refinery closures, as examples of Democratic actions he claims lead to higher gas prices. According to Barrasso, "Democrats want high gas prices. They want us in electric vehicles." He reiterated that Republicans are working to lower energy costs and promote energy independence.
Russian Sanctions and Legislative Action
The conversation turned to sanctions and the recent legislation known as the "Graham Law," which gives the president authority to penalize buyers of Russian oil. Brennan questioned whether the administration's decision to allow Russian diesel imports contradicts this law. Barrasso defended the law, stating it gives the president "flexibility and the firepower" to use policy tools against Vladimir Putin, aiming for both lower fuel prices and progress toward ending the war in Ukraine.
Concerns Over U.S. Ambassador's Ethics
Barrasso was also asked about reports concerning the U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, including claims of soliciting funds to pay personal debts in exchange for access to officials. While Barrasso did not confirm the specifics, he called the reports "very troubling" and indicated both the State Department and Senate Foreign Relations Committee may investigate.
Military Funding and the National Defense Authorization
Military funding emerged as a final major topic, with Barrasso criticizing Senate Democrats for allegedly blocking the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the first time in 65 years. He argued that failing to pass the NDAA jeopardizes support for troops and national defense. According to Brennan, some Democrats have called for more information before approving funding, particularly on issues such as base damages. Barrasso maintained that authorization for military funding should proceed to ensure national security.
Conclusion
The interview concluded with Barrasso stating his intentions to continue campaigning across the country and highlighting policy differences ahead of the 2026 senate midterms. He reiterated Republican priorities on energy, defense, and oversight, asserting these would be central themes through Election Day and beyond.
Source: cbsnews.com.
