Sen. John Kennedy, Republican of Louisiana, said the United States should maintain sanctions and a blockade against Iran but opposed sending troops to reopen the Strait, which he said is at least partially closed and has pushed up oil and gasoline costs. He said Iran recently made an offer to President Trump that was not serious and was rejected, and urged Trump, Rubio or General Caine to deliver a nationwide address explaining why the United States entered Iran, why it is winning and how it plans to leave. Kennedy said voters are more focused on the cost of living than on political disputes, and predicted a close midterm election 37 days away, while warning that political experts would be wrong. Kennedy also defended the White House's unilateral cancellation of nearly $1 billion in Congressionally approved funds, rejecting Susan Collins' assertion that the move violated Congress' constitutional power of the purse. He said lawmakers generally appropriate money in broad categories, allowing bureaucracies to spend it on wasteful programs, and supported Russ Vought's proposed cuts to aid for NGOs supporting illegal immigration and funding directed toward foreign debt. Kennedy said he would not support applying the same approach to NIH grants. The senator criticized taxpayer-funded promotional advertising by public officials. He called Kristi Noem's $220 million campaign about herself improper and said public money should not be used for private ads promoting President Trump, Noem or himself. The interview also discussed a 30-second commercial featuring Trump, airing on major and cable networks and paid for by the U.S. government. Kennedy said politicians should not have buildings named after them while they are alive, noting that Louisiana has such a rule.