This is a cleaned transcript of the interview with Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) that aired May 24, 2026 on Face the Nation.
NANCY CORDES: Welcome. Congressman Lawler, reports suggest a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran is taking shape. Some Republicans have criticized it. Do you share that skepticism?
REP. MIKE LAWLER: We need the full details before judging it. The recent kinetic campaign targeted Iran’s ballistic missile program, drone capabilities and naval operations; Iran retaliated with a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. responded with a blockade that hurt Iran’s economy and disrupted oil flows to China. The key objective has always been to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and President Trump has been consistent on that. So let’s see the terms, especially around enriched uranium, before rushing to conclusions.
NANCY CORDES: Are you encouraged by what you’ve heard so far?
REP. LAWLER: Broadly, yes. For the first time in decades, this administration forced the regime into a serious negotiation. The 2015 JCPOA put Iran on a dangerous glide path; this administration’s actions sought to stop that. But again, the details matter.
NANCY CORDES: Congressman Gottheimer, you’ve been pushing a war powers resolution and following this closely. If the deal reopens the Strait of Hormuz more quickly but delays or defers nuclear decisions, is that a win for taxpayers?
REP. JOSH GOTTHEIMER: Opening the Straits could lower gas prices, which would help Americans, so that’s positive. But the larger concern is whether the deal achieves the initial objectives: limiting enriched uranium and nuclear capability, significantly reducing ballistic missiles and drone capabilities, and cutting off funds that support terrorism and proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. If we end up with only the Straits reopening and no meaningful reductions in Iran’s nuclear, missile, or terror capabilities, then we haven’t accomplished what was intended and we’ll essentially have run in place despite huge investments.
NANCY CORDES: Congressman Lawler, the President recently visited your district and campaigned for you. How are you explaining to constituents a reported settlement that would limit IRS audits of Trump family documents predating this year?
REP. LAWLER: From my perspective, the focus is on how the previous administration weaponized government agencies against political opponents. The President has pursued claims to address that. I welcomed him to my district as I do any president; the visit drew thousands. It also highlighted local priorities — lifting the cap on SALT, recognizing a local 9/11 hero with a posthumous Medal of Freedom, and hearing from families harmed by violent crime and what they see as failures of law-and-order policies elsewhere.
NANCY CORDES: We asked both of you here because you’re working together on addressing rising antisemitism. Congressman Gottheimer, what can Congress realistically do about the surge in antisemitic incidents?
REP. GOTTHEIMER: Since the October 7 attacks, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. are up roughly 70%. Both New Jersey and New York rank high in incidents. We need to call out and condemn vile rhetoric wherever it appears — whether it comes from the left or the right. Extremist commentators and candidates who traffick in antisemitic language must be repudiated. We’ve reintroduced the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act to clarify definitions, and we’ve put forward resolutions condemning specific figures who promote hateful speech. Leadership on both sides must make clear these people and their rhetoric aren’t welcome.
NANCY CORDES: Congressman Lawler, why do fringe candidates feel emboldened to promote this kind of hate? Is there a permission structure in both parties?
REP. LAWLER: There’s no doubt antisemitism has been tolerated or even condoned by people across the political spectrum at times. Everyone has a duty to push back. I’ve experienced antisemitic or anti-Jewish behavior firsthand recently — someone screamed at me thinking I was Jewish — and that person later apologized. But the broader point remains: Jews are a small share of the population yet are the target of a disproportionate share of hate crimes. We need to police our own parties and refuse to support candidates who traffic in bigotry.
NANCY CORDES: Thank you both for joining us.
REP. LAWLER: Thank you.
REP. GOTTHEIMER: Thanks.