Meet the Press NOW — February 19

Kristen Welker has exclusive interviews with Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.). Steve Kornacki breaks down a new NBC News poll. Yamiche Alcindor, Jamelle Bouie and Sara Fagen join the roundtable. Actor and comedian Hasan Minhaj sits down for a Meet the Moment conversation.

If there’s one issue driving this election, it’s affordability. With prices for everything from gas and groceries to healthcare and childcare rising, many Americans feel the American Dream is slipping out of reach. Meanwhile, Democrats think this could be the key to their comeback, while President Donald Trump calls affordability a “hoax” — but is still pitching $5,000 payments for every voter if Republicans maintain control of the House and the Senate. On Episode 2 of "Here’s the Scoop, Election Edition," NBC News chief White House correspondent Garrett Haake brings together NBC News senior policy reporter Shannon Pettypiece, former Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., and NBC News contributor Ashley Etienne, a former adviser to President Joe Biden, to discuss where voters are feeling the squeeze, why they don’t feel like the economy — or the government — is working for them and how the parties are responding on the campaign trail and beyond.

President Donald Trump says he’s banning three media outlets from the White House. Kansas senate candidate Adam Hamilton (D) reacts to Vice President Vance’s attacks over his Christian faith. President Trump reiterates promise to give $5,000  checks to Americans if Republicans win the midterms.

President Trump slams the Federal Reserve after the board unanimously voted to hike interest rates for the first time in three years. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) discusses how the Bipartisan Caucus on Artificial Intelligence is responding to warnings by tech leaders that AI may pose an existential threat to humanity. Charles Booker (D-Ky.) discusses his campaign to replace retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

The National Transportation Safety Board investigates a news chopper crash in Los Angeles that killed three people. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh announces a hike in interest rates, defying pressure from President Trump. Former Biden administration economic adviser Jared Bernstein shares his assessment of the economy.