Sunday Shows preview: John Kerry, Tim Kaine, Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum

Secretary of State John Kerry will headline NBC’s “Meet the Press” after a week marred by the brutal killing of a Jordanian pilot at the hands of militants from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

ISIS released a video showing the pilot, the first fighter captured from the international coalition seeking to destroy the terrorist group, being burned alive. 

The vicious killing sparked fury in the international community and led to increased bombing runs by the Jordanians, who also killed two al-Qaeda prisoners in response.

But ISIS is claiming that one of the Jordanian airstrikes killed an American that it was holding hostage, a 26-year-old woman from Arizona. Officials could not independently verify that claim.

{mosads}Kerry will undoubtedly address the administration’s fight against ISIS, which has been criticized by some Republican lawmakers for being too cautious. He’ll also likely talk about continuing tensions with Russia amid the conflict in Ukraine.

Retired Gen. John Allen, who is leading the U.S. coalition against ISIS, will appear on ABC’s “This Week.”

Congressional leaders are working with the White House on a new Authorization for the Use of Military Force to codify the president’s authority to take on ISIS, with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) telling reporters this week to expect the president to send Congress the language soon. 

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who introduced his own language for that purpose, joins CNN’s “State of the Union,” along with Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), a former Army soldier, and former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), who used to chair the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Congress is also in the midst of a fight over the budget for the Department of Homeland Security. Republicans want to defund President Obama’s executive action on immigration, while Democrats are looking for a “clean” bill. 

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson will appear on CNN while Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the House Homeland Security Committee chairman, will speak on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

With contentious statements from various politicians on vaccinations making headlines this week, CBS will hear from Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director. A measles outbreak has spread to 14 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mostly stemming from infections at Disneyland Park in California.

The Sunday shows will also feature their share of 2016 speculation, with a few public figures trumpeting their message for a possible candidacy. 

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) are slated to speak on “This Week”, while retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson will appear on “Fox News Sunday.”

MSNBC will also host a pair of politicians on its network Sunday: Melissa Harris-Perry will air a taped interview with outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, while Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) will appear on “Up with Steve Kornacki.”