President Biden went to New York and New Jersey to survey damage from the remnants of Hurricane Ida. He advocated for his infrastructure proposals to protect against future worsening natural disasters. But as the House and Senate return from the August recess, his main agenda items are facing challenges on Capitol Hill. And the delta variant continues to spread, with 95% of U.S. counties showing a high level of Covid-19 transmission. Phil Rucker, Eugene Robinson, A.B. Stoddard, Dr. Irwin Redlener, Susan Glasser and Peter Baker all join.

After the Supreme Court failed to block a controversial Texas law effectively banning abortions in that state, Democratic leaders including the president and the House Speaker are vowing to protect women's reproductive rights. The president is also calling for action on climate change citing the unprecedented deadly floods from the aftermath of Hurricane Ida and the raging wildfires in California. Joining the program are Shannon Pettypiece, Jeremy Bash, Jacob Ward, Neal Katyal, Cornell Belcher, Mark McKinnon, and Dr. Vin Gupta.

Trying to move on from the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration faces a slew of issues including the push for voting rights, climate change, continued concerns for national security following the Capitol insurrection, the continued Covid pandemic and much more. We're joined by Yamiche Alcindor, Frank Figliuzzi, Joyce Vance, Joe Valiente, Eugene Robinson, Susan Del Percio, and Dr. Nahid Bhadelia.

In a speech to the nation, the president offered a strong defense of his Afghanistan withdrawal policy despite continued criticism from both sides of the aisle. Biden also again lauded the military in his remarks. We discuss that and much more with Ashley Parker, A.B. Stoddard, Ben Rhodes, Dr. Irwin Redlener, Juanita Tolliver, and Matthew Dowd.

The U.S. military has officially ended its 20-year mission in Afghanistan with the last troops having left just before August 31 according to officials. Plus, officials in hurricane-battered New Orleans warn that people there could be without power for over a week. We discuss that and much more with Ali Velshi, Peter Baker, Carol Leonnig, Tom Nichols, Craig Fugate, David Plouffe, Tim Miller, and Dr. Kavita Patel.

As a bonus for The 11th Hour listeners, we’re sharing a special preview of “Southlake,” a new, six-part original podcast series from NBC News that takes listeners inside a Texas suburb’s war over race and education. Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to listen to the first two episodes now: https://link.chtbl.com/southlake_feed

U.S. drone strike targets "ISIS-K planner" after Biden vowed to "hunt down" the attackers in the Kabul bombing. Hurricane Ida is barreling toward Louisiana. And there are so many Covid deaths in Florida that some morgues are finding themselves strained. Courtney Kube, Eugene Daniels, Susan Page, Frank Figliuzzi, Michelle Grossman, Juanita Tolliver, and Matthew Dowd all join.

The president ordered flags to half-staff following two deadly explosions near the airport in Kabul. 13 American service members were among the 60 fatalities. One blast struck a busy entrance to the airfield, where U.S. troops have been processing Americans and Afghans for evacuation ahead of the August 31 withdrawal deadline. ISIS-K, an offshoot of the Islamic State, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Yamiche Alcindor, Jonathan Lemire, James LaPorta, Clint Watts, Donna Edwards and Mark McKinnon all join.

American diplomats in Afghanistan are warning U.S. citizens of a possible ISIS attack on the airport in Kabul complicated the U.S. withdrawal with just six days until the August 31 withdrawal deadline set by Pres. Biden. Plus, the Covid surge remains very severe among unvaccinated Americans. Joining the program is Claire McCaskill, Peter Baker, John Heilemann, James Carville, Mike Murphy, and Dr. Nahid Bhadelia.

Pres. Biden is holding firm to his play to conclude evacuations in Afghanistan by August 31 as the U.S. withdrawal continues to face bipartisan criticism. Plus, how can kids stay safe going back to school during the Delta variant surge of Covid-19? We discuss that and much more with Ben Rhodes, Andrea Mitchell, Sam Stein, Dr. Irwin Redlener, Don Calloway, Susan Del Percio, and Clint Watts.