Transcript: Rep. Chris Pappas on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Oct. 11, 2026

Key Points:

• Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Chris Pappas emphasizes the importance of winning over independent swing voters and energizing the base in New Hampshire, a purple state with no early voting, ahead of the election in 23 days.
• Pappas criticizes his Republican opponent, John Sununu, for supporting former President Donald Trump's agenda despite some policy disagreements, arguing that high costs and economic struggles show that Trump's policies have not benefited New Hampshire families.
• If Democrats gain control of Congress, Pappas highlights priorities such as holding the administration accountable, addressing economic challenges, investing in affordable housing, ending wars, lowering energy prices, and restoring healthcare subsidies to help middle-class families.
• On immigration, Pappas advocates for reforming ICE by redirecting $75 billion in funding to local law enforcement and implementing accountability measures, rather than disbanding the agency, stressing the need for a balanced approach that respects due process and supports immigrant integration.
• Pappas calls for bipartisan efforts on immigration reform to create a pathway to citizenship and support businesses, acknowledging the necessity of working with a Republican president to achieve these goals.