State of Kentucky Archives: on Homeland Security

Andy Beshear: Full exclusion of military pensions from state income tax

Amy McGrath: Fully fund the VA so veterans get quality health care

I will make sure the VA remains the best place for veterans to receive care for their injuries. America should not outsource its responsibility to our veterans so that private insurance companies can profit from our injured and ill veterans. We must fully fund the VA so that veterans receive the quality health care they deserve--for life.

James Comer: Advocate for investments in national defense

I will also be an aggressive advocate on behalf of service members and families stationed at Fort Campbell, one of our country's premiere military installations. I will work with the House Armed Services and Appropriations Committees to ensure Fort Campbell has the infrastructure it needs to support our troops and their mission. I will also work with the Department of Defense to highlight the unique capabilities of Fort Campbell--including its airfield and its ability to quickly deploy troops as a Power Projection Platform, among others--in an effort to bring more service members and assignments to the post, which is vitally important to the economy of Hopkinsville and the surrounding community.

Jim Gray: Support the military, intelligence community, & diplomacy

We need leaders in the Senate who understand the threat and have the strength and resolve to meet it head on. That includes supporting the military, our intelligence community, and diplomacy that unifies the world behind this mission.

Jack Conway: Protect veterans and active servicemembers from fraud

He serves as the co-chair for the National Association of Attorneys General committee on veterans' affairs, and has used the resources of his office to protect veterans, servicemembers and their families.

Rand Paul: 2015: Introduced Arming All Pilots Act

Mitch McConnell: AdWatch: Brought in new VA hospital; & higher pay for troops

The ads focus on McConnell's record on veterans' issues. The first wave of ads will ask Kentuckians to sign a petition "to oppose President Obama's plan to cut the military."

"This advertising is designed to educate citizens about President Obama's plans to slash military spending and leave our nation in a weaker position, and to urge Sen. Mitch McConnell-- who has a strong record of standing up for Kentucky's service men and women--to oppose those military budget cuts," a spokesperson said.

The ad says McConnell fought to bring a new VA hospital to Louisville, and for body armor and higher pay for troops

Alison Grimes: Reduce veterans' services backlog; support new vets jobs law

I'm committed to serving Kentucky's 350,000 veterans and I will fight for the quality health care, benefits and treatment they have earned. We must expand education and training opportunities for service members and veterans, facilitating public/private partnerships that help them translate their military skills for the civilian workforce. We must improve access to health care services, including mental health, prosthetic care and wound regeneration.

Jack Conway: Let gays serve openly in US military

When Conway was asked whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the military, he said "yes," without elaborating.

Paul's campaign spokesman said in an e-mail without elaboration, "Dr. Paul believes this is a matter that should be decided by the leadership of the military, not through political posturing."

Republicans in the US Senate this week stopped a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" when Democrats attached an amendment seeking the repeal to a defense bill. Republicans said a Pentagon study on the impact of ending the policy should be completed before there is any move toward repeal.

Rand Paul: Military should decide don't-ask-don't-tell policy

When Conway was asked whether gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the military, he said "yes," without elaborating.

Paul's campaign spokesman said in an e-mail without elaboration, "Dr. Paul believes this is a matter that should be decided by the leadership of the military, not through political posturing."

Republicans in the US Senate this week stopped a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" when Democrats attached an amendment seeking the repeal to a defense bill. Republicans said a Pentagon study on the impact of ending the policy should be completed before there is any move toward repeal.