Transcript: Energy Secretary Chris Wright on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Oct. 4, 2026

Good morning and welcome to Face the Nation. Energy Secretary Chris Wright joins us to discuss efforts to lower high gas and oil prices ahead of the U.S. midterms. Secretary Wright asserts that Americans can anticipate lower gasoline and diesel prices by election day. He attributes this to increasing supplies from the Strait of Hormuz and a record-high U.S. gasoline production.

Wright explains that demand for gasoline is decreasing as we move out of the summer driving season, and diesel prices have been falling due to disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and China's decision not to export diesel. He also highlights the impact of two recently closed refineries in California and 15 years of Democrat policies that have contributed to energy subtraction. Despite these challenges, Wright remains confident that prices will continue to decline over the next four weeks.

The U.S. is sending more defensive equipment to Gulf countries to protect their oil infrastructure and recently held a gathering of national security advisers at Camp David to discuss Iran and the conflict in Yemen. Wright emphasizes the importance of preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, as it poses a long-term threat to energy prices.

He acknowledges that there are no guarantees in conflict but stresses that all measures are being taken to increase diesel and gasoline supplies and reverse years of policies that have shrunk production, refining, and delivery capabilities.