The midterm outlook

Senator Mark Kelly, Democrat of Arizona, joined "Face the Nation" this Sunday to chat about the upcoming midterms. Kelly is currently out on the trail in states like South Carolina, Ohio, and Iowa. He claims that even in places historically leaning GOP, there is significant energy from voters who are fed up with the current cost-of-living crisis. Real talk: he says the economic vibes are off and families are struggling to keep up with rising prices.

The Trump payment controversy

When asked about President Trump’s recent promise of $90 checks for Medicare Part B enrollees and a potential $5,000 payout if Republicans sweep the House and Senate, Kelly didn't hold back. He labeled the move a "payoff" and a blatant attempt to buy votes. He argued that the current administration has historically cut vital food and health benefits for vulnerable populations to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, making these last-minute payments feel disingenuous.

The path forward

Kelly is pushing an alternative Democratic platform that he claims would actually lower costs. His plan includes raising taxes on those earning over a million dollars annually while offering tax relief for individuals and couples making up to $160,000. He also called for an end to the current conflict in Iran, which he says has driven up domestic prices, and wants a reversal of current tariff policies that he claims are being paid for by Americans, not foreign nations.

Military leadership tensions

Beyond the economy, Kelly took aim at Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s ongoing personnel changes. Kelly pointed to a pattern of firing high-ranking officials—specifically women and people of color—and labeled the actions as damaging to military readiness. He noted the firing of high-profile leaders like C.Q. Brown and Lisa Franchetti without clear justification, calling Hegseth the most unqualified Secretary of Defense in history.

Why it matters

With control of Congress on the line, these midterms are shaping up to be a high-stakes standoff. Kelly’s critique signals that Democrats are aiming to make the November election a referendum on both the economy and the stability of institutional leadership within the U.S. military.