2020 Kentucky US Senate Voters Guide

Mitch McConnell (R) vs Amy McGrath (D)

US Senate | Election | Nov 10, 2020

The Candidates

Mitch McConnell

Mitch McConnell

Republican

Incumbent
Amy McGrath

Amy McGrath

Democrat

The Issues

Abortion

Keep legal or ban?

Amy McGrath (D)

Legal. Current restrictions are “reasonable.” Concerned with attempts to criminalize abortion in cases of rape, incest, or the life of the mother. Supports women making choices without government interference.

Affordable Care Act

Support Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare?

Campaign Finance

Require political ads to disclose their largest funders?

Climate Change

Consider human-caused climate change a serious threat?

Tax or regulate greenhouse emissions and support renewable energy?

Mitch McConnell (R)

No. Supported withdrawal from Paris climate agreement, saying it would  “handcuff” the U.S. economy; opposed Obama’s Clean Power Plan. Recently refused to extend solar and wind subsidies.

Amy McGrath (D)

Yes to renewables; unclear on regulation. Invest in infrastructure to support alternatives to coal jobs. Expanded solar and wind will reduce electricity costs and “bring energy-related jobs.”

Contraception

Require health plans to cover birth control?

Courts

Supported BretPick Ruth Bader Ginsburg replacement now or let November winner choose? See CEEP Supreme Court guide.t Kavanaugh nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court?

Mitch McConnell (R)

Yes. In Feb. 2016,  when Justice Scalia died, said, “This vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president,” to reflect the voters’ will. Replacing Ginsburg is different, McConnell now says, because voters elected Trump and a Republican Senate.

Financial Regulation

Tighten or loosen regulation of banks and credit card companies?

Mitch McConnell (R)

Loosen. Opposed creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Voted to roll back Dodd-Frank banking regulations, which he called “heavy-handed.”

Amy McGrath (D)

Tighten. Criticized attempts to roll back Dodd-Frank banking regulations. Noted payday lenders are “preying on anyone who is low-income.”

Guns

Enact more restrictive legislation on guns?

Immigration

Create path to citizenship for “DACA” participants brought to the U.S. as children?

Support expanded border walls?

Iran

Oppose military attacks on Iran or Iranian leaders without congressional approval?

Labor

Support “right to work” laws, eliminating union ability to mandate union dues?

LGBT Rights

Support Gay Marriage and LGBTQ Rights?

Minimum Wage

Raise federal hourly minimum wage above current $7.25?

Mitch McConnell (R)

No. A minimum wage hike would “kill jobs and depress the economy.”

Planned Parenthood

Support Planned Parenthood’s receiving public funds for non-abortion-related care?

Student Financial Aid

Support free or subsidized tuition for lower-income individuals?

Taxes

Support administration’s $1.9 trillion (2017) tax cuts?