Meet the Press Season 2017 Episode 38 September 17, 2017
- September 17, 2017
On September 17, 2017, Meet the Press aired its 38th episode of the 2017 season. Hosted by veteran journalist Chuck Todd, the show is known for its in-depth analysis of politics and current events.
The September 17th episode began with coverage of the ongoing debate over healthcare reform. Todd talked to Senator Bernie Sanders, who has been a longtime advocate for a single-payer healthcare system. Sanders expressed his frustration with the current Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without a viable replacement. He argued that the ACA has made significant progress in expanding access to healthcare and that the GOP's proposals would only reverse that progress.
Todd also had a conversation with Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who defended the Republican approach to healthcare reform. Scott argued that the ACA has caused rising premiums and reduced options for consumers, and that the GOP proposals would provide more choices and lower costs. He pushed back against claims that the Republican plan would strip coverage from millions of Americans.
The episode also featured a roundtable discussion with political analysts and journalists, including David Brody of Christian Broadcasting Network, Helene Cooper of The New York Times, and Eugene Robinson of The Washington Post. They tackled a range of topics, including the controversies surrounding President Trump, the role of race and identity politics in the 2016 election, and the challenges facing the Democratic Party in the aftermath of their defeat.
One of the most notable moments of the episode came when Todd interviewed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The two discussed a wide range of foreign policy issues, including the escalating tensions with North Korea, the administration's approach to the Iran nuclear deal, and the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan. Tillerson emphasized the importance of diplomatic solutions to these challenges and highlighted the administration's efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships around the world.
Throughout the episode, Todd and his guests engaged in thoughtful and substantive conversations, providing viewers with a nuanced and informative perspective on the most pressing issues of the day. Meet the Press has been a mainstay of American political discourse for over seven decades, and this particular episode was no exception to its legacy.