On May 25, 2025, "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" featured a discussion on significant legislative developments as Memorial Day approaches. The episode highlighted the passage of President Trump's much-debated "big, beautiful bill" through the House of Representatives. The show was moderated by Ed O'Keefe and included notable guests such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, Rep. Jim Himes, Cindy McCain, and Navy veteran Jack McCain.

Margaret Brennan opened the broadcast by acknowledging the unofficial start of summer and the importance of honoring military service. She noted President Trump's recent rally with West Point graduates, where he emphasized the military's role in protecting the nation. "The military's job is to dominate any foe and annihilate any threat to America anywhere, any time and any place," Trump stated during the event.

The conversation quickly shifted to the legislative front, focusing on the House's narrow approval of Trump's bill, which passed by just one vote. Speaker Mike Johnson, representing Louisiana, discussed the bill's provisions, which include eliminating taxes on tips and overtime, allocating $50 billion for border security, and increasing the child tax credit. The bill is projected to cost between $4 trillion and $5 trillion over the next decade.

"We have historic savings for the American people, cuts to government to make it more efficient and effective," Johnson claimed. He emphasized that the legislation would lead to significant economic growth by reducing taxes and regulations, which he believes will create more jobs and opportunities.

However, the bill has faced criticism from some Senate Republicans, including Senator Rand Paul, who described the proposed cuts as "wimpy and anemic" and expressed concerns about the potential impact on the national debt. Brennan raised questions about the economic implications of the bill, referencing a Moody's credit rating downgrade and Goldman Sachs' assertion that the bill's benefits may not offset the damage from existing tariffs.

Johnson defended the legislation, arguing that it would stimulate the economy and lead to job creation. He pointed to the previous administration's tax cuts as evidence of the positive impact such measures can have. "After just the first two years, we brought about the greatest economy in the history of the world," he said.

Brennan also highlighted the potential consequences of the bill on social programs, noting that it would eliminate subsidized federal student loans and cut funding for clean energy initiatives. Johnson responded by stating that the focus is on addressing fraud and waste in programs like Medicaid, asserting that the system should prioritize vulnerable populations.

As the discussion continued, the show also touched on humanitarian aid returning to Gaza after a prolonged Israeli blockade, with insights from Cindy McCain, the executive director of the World Food Programme. The episode concluded with a reminder of the importance of honoring military service and the ongoing legislative debates that will shape the future of American policy.