Sunday shows preview: Drones capture national attention; Congress works to avert shutdown

A slew of drone sightings in New Jersey and different parts of the country have made headlines this week as Congress scrambles to avoid the Dec. 20 government shutdown deadline.

The Democratic party has been searching for answers since Republicans secured a trifecta following Election Day, with some placing blame on the party's messaging around kitchen table issues like inflation, wages and the accelerating trend of wealth inequality. For others, the trouble stems from the heated debate over the ongoing Israel-Hamas wars or the culture war battles, including LGBTQ issues such as transgender rights.

Wisconsin Democratic Chairman Ben Wikler will appear on NewsNation's "The Hill," where he will discuss his bid for chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) as the current leader, Jaime Harrison, is not seeking reelection.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is set to appear on NBC's "Meet the Press." The prominent progressive, who has served in Congress since 1991, has been in the spotlight after he said in an interview that he likely won't seek reelection after his term ends in 2030. The interview from Sanders comes as the Democratic party has been scrambling to reconcile its losses and the federal government moves toward Republican control.

President-elect Trump is set to return to the Oval Office next month and the GOP will take control of both chambers of Congress.

ABC's "This Week" is set to host Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), whose name has been circulated for a leadership role in the Republican party. Schmitt had emerged as a lead contender to run the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) in 2026 before passing on the bid in October. His name resurfaced as the next potential attorney general in Trump's upcoming administration, though he withdrew from the race last month. The senator has most recently made headlines for calling on Trump to fire the Department of Justice (DOJ) staff who investigated his legal cases.

Former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) will appear on ABC's "This Week" as New Jersey has been among the areas that have been rattled by mysterious drone sightings. There have been increased calls for an investigation, many from lawmakers in the northeast region of the country.

Though, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas suggested that the drones reportedly spotted are not “nefarious” nor a “threat" during a CNN interview Friday.

"Fox News Sunday" will host Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes (D), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. His appearance also comes amid the drone sightings.

Rep. Mike Walz (R-Fla.), Trump's pick for national security adviser, will appear on CBS's "Face the Nation." The president-elect on Friday called for authorities to shoot down the drones and suggested the government must know more about the mysterious sightings.

Here’s the full list of appearances on this week’s Sunday talk shows:

NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” — Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.); Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md); Wisconsin Democratic Chairman Ben Wikler

ABC’s “This Week” — Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.); former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.)

NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.); Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria for more than a decade

CNN’s “State of the Union” — Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah)

CBS’s “Face the Nation” — Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for national security adviser; Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.); Gary Cohn, vice chairman of IBM; Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova; Cindy McCain, executive director of the United Nations World Food Program

“Fox News Sunday” — Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.); Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.)

FOX's "Sunday Morning Futures" — Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Joint Economic Committee ranking member; Sen.-elect Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio); Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mont.), House Ways and Means Committee; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), ranking member, House Select Committee on CCP

NewsNation is owned by Nexstar, which also owns The Hill.

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