Actually, more than 400,000 Americans died during World War II. “I have a plan to get us through this coronavirus so that our schools are opened up safely, so that we get our economy back and stop playing these games.". Bryant opened the debate by asking what each candidate believes the federal government should be doing to mitigate the threat of COVID-19. McGrath, a retired Marine combat pilot, criticized McConnell for blocking a new round of COVID-19 economic support, calling it a "dereliction of duty" and failure of leadership. "Do you want somebody from New York to be setting the agenda for America and not terribly interested in Kentucky or do you want to continue to have one of the four congressional leaders from our state looking out for Kentucky, giving Kentucky an opportunity to punch above its weight, providing extra assistance for Kentucky?" But McConnell blamed Democrats, especially House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for the lack of a compromise. "You want more of that? Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democrat Amy McGrath will meet for their first (and likely last) debate Monday night, with only three weeks left … ), McGrath had a rebuttal to that: "You're hearing it all night long: More excuses. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democrat Amy McGrath fired off answers about COVID-19, the Supreme Court, police reform and other issues Monday night during a fast-paced, hour-long debate — the first and likely last one they'll both do before the Nov. 3 election. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democrat Amy McGrath will meet for their first (and likely last) debate Monday night, with only three weeks left until Election Day. McConnell, McGrath each answer 13 important questions ahead of Election Day, Democrats focus on future of Affordable Care Act, 22 arrested in outside protests, charges that weren't specifically related to Taylor's death. Bryant asked how the commonwealth can "turn the tide" on that front, and McConnell pointed to money he helped bring to the state to battle addiction and overdoses, including an $87 million grant for the University of Kentucky to help address and study this crisis. McGrath also said she wants to fix the Affordable Care Act and make health care easier to obtain so people struggling with addiction can get treatment and prevention. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and his Democratic challenger, Amy McGrath, faced off in their first and perhaps only debate Monday night. Reach Emma Austin at eaustin@gannett.com or on Twitter at @emmacaustin. Sen. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was criticized for laughing while being confronted about the Senate's failure to pass coronavirus relief measures during Monday's night debate with his Democratic opponent Amy McGrath.. McGrath, a former Marine Corps fighter pilot, was grilling McConnell for the Senate's failure to pass an additional coronavirus relief package that would have … "That's more Americans dead than World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined. Moving the conversation from COVID-19, Bryant read a question submitted by a University of Kentucky student asking if confirmation hearings for Trump's nominee to succeed the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should be happening less than a month before an election. In the wake of a grand jury's recent decision to indict only one officer involved in the shooting on charges that weren't specifically related to Taylor's death, Bryant asked this question that a UK student sent: "Do you think justice was done?". Meanwhile, McGrath repeatedly stressed what is perhaps the biggest theme of her campaign: McConnell — who was first elected a senator in 1984 — has been in office too long and has not used his clout in the ways he should have to help Kentucky. Will voters buy into it? Majority Leader Mitch McConnell slammed his Democratic challenger Amy McGrath's new ad against him as a “racist” attack against his wife. He also emphasized his involvement in developing the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, commonly known as the CARES Act, which passed Congress in March. One of the last issues the candidates addressed during the debate was the opioid epidemic that has shattered many Kentucky families. ), He also praised Trump's nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, as "an absolute legal all-star.". The 2020 Senate elections will take place on Election Day alongside the presidential election, and one Senate race has massive potential to change the country’s future.Democrat Amy McGrath from Kentucky is running against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who is the longest-serving senator from Kentucky in U.S. history since he first entered the Senate in 1985. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaks during a debate with opponent Amy McGrath in Lexington, Ky., Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. "Well, I give the president, the White House and this Congress an F for its handling of coronavirus. "I think they don't want a solution prior to the election.". "We're still fighting the battle. Reach reporter Morgan Watkins: 502-582-4502; mwatkins@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @morganwatkins26. McGrath's campaign said Tuesday she misspoke and meant to say World War I, which had a lower U.S. death toll. Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Amy McGrath tried to slam Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for not being a leader as they both took shots at … ), "That’s not what you’re going to get from me,” McGrath said. I will keep it in Kentucky.". In his last comment of the night, McConnell — who warned McGrath would vote to give Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York the majority leader job if she and other Democratic candidates win control of the chamber next month — said this isn't complicated. Candidate Q&A: McConnell, McGrath each answer 13 important questions ahead of Election Day. I want change.". "Look, the question is: Who can be effective for Kentucky?" Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democrat Amy McGrath finally are set to face off in a debate this month after the dueling candidates spent … Related: Senate candidate Amy McGrath has a plan to rebuild Kentucky. McConnell hit his campaign's oft-cited point that McGrath will go along with other Democrats in Washington, D.C., to "pack" the Supreme Court by expanding the number of justices on it. ... but I think in terms of justice in America, we have to follow the laws that were written.". It's not over yet, but my clout has made a huge difference in providing funds for Kentucky on this big problem," the longtime senator said. Kentucky has received $13 billion from the CARES Act, but Beshear has said Kentucky was counting on more aid from a new coronavirus relief package. And Sen. McConnell thinks we've done a good job?". McGrath responded by saying she does not support "looting or rioting or destruction of property or violence in any way," and she does not want to defund the police. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy.