Kentucky Democratic US Senate candidate Amy McGrath on healthcare, immigration
The Herald-Leader posited six written questions to the candidates, both Democrat and Republican, seeking to be Kentucky’s next U.S. senator.
For Democrats, those questions addressed issues like Sen. Mitch McConnell’s legacy, their electability in Kentucky, healthcare policy and more.
Candidates were limited to 150 words in their responses and agreed not to use artificial intelligence in generating their answers.
Below are Democratic contender Amy McGrath’s answers. Other candidate questionnaires can be viewed here.
How would you describe Mitch McConnell’s impact on Kentucky?
Mitch McConnell is largely responsible for breaking the U.S. Senate over the course of his time in office. What used to be a great deliberative body barely functions now because of his constant obstruction to progress the past 40 years.
If you had your way, what healthcare policy would the U.S. pursue and ultimately enact?
Making health insurance more affordable for working families is one of the most important things we could do in our country and state to address economic inequality. I will protect and expand access to health care Kentuckians rely on. That means restoring the Affordable Care Act, bringing back the enhanced ACA (Affordable Care Act) subsidies that lowered premiums before Washington Republicans cut them in the BBB (Big, Beautiful Bill), restoring Medicaid cuts that have put our rural hospitals at risk, and restoring funding for substance abuse and mental health services. Ultimately, I think we need to move towards a public option that people can buy into. If private health insurance companies had to compete in this way, it would help bring down costs for everyone in the long run.
Should the U.S. Senate keep the filibuster, which allows the minority to block most legislative action without 60 votes? Why or why not?
I’m focused on making our government function again. One of the structural changes we need in the U.S. Senate is eliminating the filibuster. Right now, too many important measures stall instead of getting a fair vote. If we want to pass legislation that actually helps Americans, we have to fix the system that’s blocking it.
Democrats haven’t won a U.S. Senate seat in Kentucky since 1992. Make your case for why this year is different, and why you’re the one to make it happen.
For the first time in decades, Kentucky has an open U.S. Senate seat. The Republican candidates are tied to Mitch McConnell’s political machine but lack his stature and resources, and I know I can compete with them. Kentucky voters have twice elected a Democratic governor in electorates similar to 2026. Recently, Democrats have flipped seats in Iowa, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana, places once considered unwinnable. I’ve built the infrastructure and grassroots organization needed to win, and I’ve consistently over-performed other Democrats in past races by connecting with moderates and independents. At the same time, Donald Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 33%, among the lowest for any president in decades. We need someone to bridge the gap. In this moment, Kentucky needs a senator grounded in national security, diplomacy, and military affairs. My experience gives me a clear understanding of Washington, and how to deliver results on day one.
Can you describe your ideal U.S. immigration policy? Please be specific.
I introduced an ICE Accountability Standard that will restore constitutional oversight, protect human life, and ensure Congress fulfills its responsibilities when federal power goes unchecked. Immigration enforcement has increasingly been used as a vehicle for government overreach, resulting in civilian deaths, constitutional violations, and a lack of accountability. The issue is not whether immigration laws should be enforced, but how they are enforced. Current practices undermine core constitutional protections, including due process and safeguards against unlawful searches. My proposal outlines four key requirements: clear legal justification and warrants for enforcement actions; visible identification and accountability for agents; responsible use of taxpayer funding tied to lawful objectives; and independent investigations into any use of force resulting in serious harm or death, with full transparency to Congress. These standards are necessary to restore public trust, uphold democratic values, and protect Americans’ rights.
What committees would you like to join and why?
Given my experience, I would certainly be interested in the Senate Armed Services, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Senate Intelligence Committees, as I think my knowledge and voice would be most useful there. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, I was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for 20 years as an F/A-18 fighter pilot and weapons systems officer, including three combat deployments to the Middle East. During my service, I was also assigned to Capitol Hill as a Congressional Fellow, where I worked as the defense and foreign affairs policy advisor for a member of the House Armed Services Committee. I also served at the Pentagon, Headquarters Marine Corps, Strategy & Plans Division, International Affairs Branch, as the Marine Corps’ liaison to other federal government agencies like the Department of State, CIA, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Amy McGrath’s website can be found here.
