State of Kentucky Archives: on Foreign Policy
Amy McGrath:
We need strong military, but also strong diplomatic corps
Our foreign policy must be directly linked not only to our national security but also to our interests, which are defined by our American values--those enshrined in our Declaration of Independence and in our Constitution. Our role in the world is unique
and we must strive to be the champion of democratic movements, human rights (including women's rights), justice, equality, opportunity, and the freedoms of speech, religion and the press.
The major concern for the security of our nation remains the threat of a nuclear device in the hands of a violent non-state actor--we must be relentless when it comes to seeking nuclear nonproliferation. Many serious threats--information warfare,
pandemic disease, violent extremist ideology, climate change--cannot be resolved with more fighter jets and aircraft carriers. Not only do we need a strong military, but we must invest in a strong diplomatic corps and in international development.
Source: 2020 Kentucky Senate campaign website AmyMcGrath.com
Jun 30, 2020
Jim Gray:
Stand with our allies to protect our global interests
It's clear that ISIS will stop at nothing and use unconventional methods to strike fear into our hearts. We must destroy ISIS where they are and prevent them from attacking us here at home. To stay ahead, we must be strategic, strong and innovative.
Vital American assistance has enabled our allies in the region to shrink the territory ISIS controls and we should continue that aid as long as it is achieving results.We must also stand strong with our allies to identify and root out terrorists and
protect our global interests. One of our most important allies in this fight is Israel. Jim supports a strong US-Israel relationship because of our strategic alliance, as well as our shared commitment to pursuing peace, democratic principles, human
rights and religious freedom. Israel must maintain its qualitative military edge. To that end, the US should quickly ensure its access to the weapons Israel needs to maintain the peace and its security.
Source: 2016 Kentucky Senate campaign website, GrayForKentucky.com
Aug 8, 2016
Matt Bevin:
No unilateral action in Eastern Europe
I asked about how Bevin would respond to Russia's intervention in Crimea, were he in the Senate. "When you come from a position of waffling and equivocation and weakness, you don't curry respect from the world's leaders."
But would he want missile defense restored in Eastern Europe? "So much of that is contingent what the people in these places where the bases would be built have to say about it. We can't tell people unilaterally that they have to put missile bases on the
Source: Slate.com CPAC coverage of 2014 Kentucky Senate race
Mar 7, 2014
Mitch McConnell:
1985: Led anti-apartheid bill through Senate
Mitch McConnell's foreign policy transformation is one of the bigger untold political stories of this election year. McConnell's signature anti-apartheid bill is an example of these seeming contradictions. As a Southern freshman, he spoke out strongly in
July 1985: "Many people might overlook or discount the significant internal political turbulence which has scarred the last decade of South African history," McConnell said. "But apartheid & the severity of life under its discriminatory weight is not a
problem we can continue to wish 8,199 miles away. We are a nation and international community bound together by principles of freedom, equality and justice," he added. "I share a commitment to those values and I am troubled by the inevitable damaging
consequences of their betrayal."But the same passion is entirely missing in a 2009 McConnell biography: McConnell's South Africa stance is described as one calculated to "demonstrate his political independence" from the lame-duck Ronald Reagan.
Source: Politico.com e-zine on 2014 Kentucky Senate race
Mar 26, 2014
Steven Cox:
America is the greatest nation; we should lead
America is the greatest nation in the world. When you think about that, with the changes that need to happen in the world, as an American, you think we should be at the forefront of that. We should be leading the way. We should be the ones "riding off
into the sunset" saving the world. Traditionally, that is what we have done. You go back to WWII. Had we not intervened with that, there would probably be a very different kind of a world today. We are ignoring our role as stewards and heroes.
Source: Medium.com on 2020 Kentucky Senate race
Jul 18, 2019
Steven Cox:
America is ignoring our role as stewards who save the world
America is the greatest nation in the world. When you think about that, with the changes that need to happen in the world, as an American, you think we should be at the forefront of that. We should be leading the way. We should be the ones "riding off
into the sunset" saving the world. Traditionally, that is what we have done. You go back to WWII. Had we not intervened with that, there would probably be a very different kind of a world today. We are ignoring our role as stewards and heroes.
Source: Max Micallef on Medium.com on 2020 Kentucky Senate race
Jul 18, 2019
Andy Beshear:
Now is the time for patriotism, united against Russia
[On NATO]: "Today, we're waking up to the news that Russia has engaged in a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said. "We will feel some of this in Kentucky...we will be called upon to endure things like higher gas prices.
It's a small price to pay to stop this act of aggression, although I understand, we will all feel it. It's time for America to be united, every single one of us, against this external threat. We're tough enough...now is the time for patriotism," he said.
Source: WLKY on 2023 Kentucky Gubernatorial race
Feb 24, 2022
Daniel Cameron:
Take a tougher stance with China and Mexico on fentanyl
Cameron join[ed] a coalition of 16 states in a letter urging the Department of State to take a tougher approach to prevent fentanyl from pouring across international borders. In their letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the attorneys
general outlined their concerns about the production and distribution of fentanyl and asked Secretary Blinken to take a tougher stance on foreign policy with China and Mexico to stop the influx of fentanyl into the United States.
Source: WIKI 95.3 FM on 2023 Kentucky Gubernatorial race
Jan 17, 2022
Daniel Cameron:
Apply pressure on China to stop fentanyl related exports
Cameron told [Secretary of State Antony] Blinken additional steps must be taken. That includes labeling Mexican drug cartels as "terrorist organizations," applying more pressure on China to stop exporting fentanyl precursors and encouraging the country
to put those chemicals on its list of controlled substances. "This coordinated effort by China and Mexican cartels demands a strong, consistent response from the State Department," Cameron wrote.
Source: The Center Square on 2023 Kentucky Gubernatorial race
Aug 1, 2023
Andy Barr:
Require the President to sanction CCP military companies
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) poses the greatest military, economic, political and technological threat to the United States in a generation. To address the economic and military threat, I introduced the Chinese Military and Surveillance Company
Sanction Act of 2021. My proposal requires the President to sanction CCP military companies included on the U.S. Department of Defense's annual listing and other Chinese military and surveillance companies that pose a risk to U.S. national security.
Source: 2026 Kentucky Senate campaign site AndyBarrForCongress.com
Apr 17, 2025
Daniel Cameron:
Enough is enough when it comes to funding Ukraine
The newly minted Senate candidate Daniel Cameron, 39, wasted no time showing Kentucky's MAGA-aligned base he's no longer a disciple of Sen. Mitch McConnell and is unequivocally on Team Trump. For good measure, on what coincided with the third
anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Cameron also created more daylight between himself and McConnell by saying "enough is enough" when it comes to funding Ukraine's military efforts--something the longest-serving majority leader championed.
Source: Politico.com on 2026 Kentucky Senate race
Feb 25, 2025
Thomas Massie:
Supporters of Israel are agents of a foreign government
Rabbi Shlomo Litvin, the chair of the Kentucky Jewish Council, who has feuded publicly with the congressman, said in Massie's most recent meeting with a group of AIPAC activists from his district several years ago,
Massie opened the meeting by saying, "This is the last time I'm ever meeting with you guys. What do you want?" Massie has accused those who support Israel of being agents of a foreign government and said AIPAC should be forced to register as such.
Source: Jewish Insider on 2026 Kentucky Senate race
Feb 21, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026