Meet the Press NOW — December 18

The Justice Department begins releasing thousands of records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.), member of the House Oversight Committee, reacts to the latest tranche of Epstein files. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A person of interest has been identified by law enforcement in connection with the mass shooting at Brown University, three senior law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation tell NBC News. Trump defends his economic policies amid waning poll numbers. Dr. Peter Hotez says cuts at HHS could harm pediatric research and health care. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) explains his decision to join Democrats to force a vote to extend the Obamacare subsidies. Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman discusses why she’s stepping down from her role amid trade tensions between both countries. Officials provide an update on the manhunt for the Brown University shooter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick Reiner is expected to be charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the death of his parents Rob and Michele Reiner. Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) discusses the last-ditch efforts in the House to address expiring Obamacare tax credits. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles responds to an extensive Vanity Fair article, accusing the publication of taking her comments out of context.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A manhunt is underway in Providence, Rhode Island after two students were killed and nine others were injured in a shooting at Brown University. 15 people are dead in Sydney, Australia following a mass shooting that authorities claim targeted the Jewish community. Director Rob Reiner and his wife were killed overnight, with authorities saying his son now in custody. NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki looks at the latest polling from the NBC News Decision Desk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) join in the aftermath of a shooting at Brown University. Tom Winter updates on the suspect in custody. Steve Kornacki breaks down a new NBC News Decision Desk poll. Lanhee Chen, Jonathan Martin, Amna Nawaz and Neera Tanden join the roundtable. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) joins Meet the Press NOW after two health care bills fail in the Senate, and defends his decision to reopen the government without a health care deal. State Sen. Mike Bohacek (R-Ind.) explains why he voted against the new congressional map that favors Republicans even in the face of the pressure campaign from the White House. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee release more photos from the Epstein estate.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Indiana Senate rejects a congressional map that would have eliminated Democratic seats in the state. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) urges bipartisan cooperation in Congress as two separate health care plans fall short of passage in the House of Representatives. Former U.S. Southern Command General Wesley Clark weighs in on the United States’ seizure of an oil tanker off the shore of Venezuela as tensions escalate abroad. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Govs. Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.) and Spencer Cox (R-Utah) sit down with NBC News’ Savannah Guthrie for a "Finding Common Ground" conversation around political extremism and the current state of politics. NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki analyzes the results from the Miami mayoral election. NBC News' Courtney Kube reports on President Trump saying the U.S. seized a larger oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

President Trump is heading to battleground Pennsylvania to tout his economic agenda even after calling affordability a "hoax." Rep. Madeline Dean (D-Pa.) discusses Democrats' approach to messaging on the economy. Senate Majority Leader John Thune say the Senate will vote on the Cassidy-Crapo health care proposal this week.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.