OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Kentucky has been deeply affected by the scourge of opioid abuse. Opioids have killed thousands of Kentuckians, overwhelmed law enforcement, and stressed our healthcare system.
Rep. Massie has done nothing for Northern Kentucky to help fight the opioid epidemic, voting no on nearly every bill to treat those suffering from drug addiction or support the communities affected. He couldn’t even vote for minimal funding for the safe care of infants affected by prenatal drug abuse (a bill that passed the house 406-3). He has done nothing to hold the drug cartels or the rogue drug company executives who started this mess accountable.
Matt has worked to develop innovative treatments in the healthcare industry, including new ways to treat pancreatitis pain without opioids. He knows how the U.S. healthcare system works and how it has left too many families without access to treatment. Matt will fight to get Kentuckians the resources we need to overcome the opioid epidemic.
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
Individual reproductive rights, health privacy, and marriage equality must be protected from government overreach. No one deserves to have the police, or the judicial system, involved in personal health choices.
Rep. Massie cynically calls himself a defender of freedom and individual liberty. Yet he consistently supports policies and judicial appointments that erode individual rights that Americans expect and deserve.
Matt will support federal legislation to ensure individual liberties are protected.
ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Coal and coal miners have powered Kentucky’s economy and the nation’s growth for over 200 years. But environmental concerns are forcing us to look at the future of energy differently. Kentuckians cannot ignore the future, and we need to prepare. The United States owes Kentucky and other coal-producing regions major investments in new technology, education, and employment opportunities to meet our energy needs for generations to come.
For Rep. Massie, as he drives his Tesla with a “friends of Kentucky coal” license plate, these major changes affecting the lives of his constituents are nothing but a joke. During his 10 years in office, Kentucky coal production and employment have collapsed, and he has provided no meaningful solutions.
Kentucky has shown its resilience and ability to transition from legacy industries in the past. Matt will fight in D.C. to get Kentucky miners and mining communities what they have earned and assure that no Kentucky community is left behind as our energy sources and needs change.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
There are specific needs from parts of our district to support economic development. For example, Bracken and Mason counties could join the Appalachian Regional Commission to help fund their public health systems. The I-71 and US-42 corridor has been neglected for too long and the Kentucky Speedway languishes as a parking lot. The Greenup-Boyd County Riverport in Wurtland needs a champion to take advantage of this opportunity.
Rep. Massie, unsurprisingly, has done nothing to support our economic development needs. Even worse, he tries to sabotage these efforts at both the federal and state level. He has helped oust officials in Kentucky that work to invest in our future (including those in his own party!). As State Sen. Paul Hornback (R-Shelbyville) put it: “He’s just completely out of touch with what normal people want and he is out of touch with what makes this country move forward . . . and he has alienated himself so much in Congress that he can’t get anything done. He could not get me a load of gravel for my district, if I needed it. He has no influence.”
SAFE SCHOOLS & COMMUNITIES
Our children have the right to safe schools. Every child has the right to a quality early education, free of violence and fear.
While gun ownership is an American right, responsible gun ownership is an American duty. Kentuckians overwhelmingly agree that common sense regulation can reduce gun violence in our communities while protecting our individual rights to self-protection provided by the second amendment. Matt will work to keep guns out of schools and out of the hands of irresponsible people doing harm to our children and our communities.
Rep. Massie, on the other hand, believes that a minority of Americans should be sufficiently armed to overthrow the government. He spends his time on extremist programs with Marjorie Taylor Greene, considering ridiculous concepts such as Americans’ right to own biological and nuclear weapons. His vision of the second amendment is out of touch, extreme, and violent.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Northern Kentucky is growing and so are our infrastructure needs. Besides the obvious Brent Spence issue, we have a growing airport, growing manufacturing and distribution industries, and a growing knowledge-based economy. We require regional, multi-state, and federal coordination to be sure everyone and every business in our community have world-class infrastructure including clean water and sanitation, connected air, rail, and road logistics.
In addition to “hard” infrastructure, Northern Kentucky needs to secure our knowledge infrastructure too. We need to protect our libraries and small bookstores. We must stabilize our postal system and ensure this vital public service is ready for the next generation. All of our citizens must have access to affordable high-speed internet. And we need to appreciate and support our local and regional journalists to bring unbiased and meaningful information to our community.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Kentucky’s fourth district is growing, and so are our infrastructure needs. Besides the obvious Brent Spence issue, we have a growing airport, growing manufacturing and distribution industries, and a growing knowledge-based economy. We require regional, multi-state, and federal coordination to be sure everyone and every business in our community have world-class infrastructure, including clean water and sanitation and connected air, rail and road logistics.
In addition to “hard” infrastructure, Northern Kentucky needs to secure our knowledge infrastructure too. We need to protect our libraries and small bookstores. We must stabilize our postal system and ensure this vital public service is ready for the next generation. All of our citizens must have access to affordable high-speed internet and cell phone service. Unlike Rep. Massie, Matt will fight in D.C. to be sure that our region gets its fair share of infrastructure investment and we don’t lose these opportunities to other parts of the country.
VETERANS & AMERICA’S PLACE IN THE WORLD
Matt is immensely grateful to the men and women of our armed services and understands the great sacrifices our military families have made to ensure our safety and freedoms. He believes strongly that the country owes our veterans the benefits and resources they need to build a strong, healthy, and successful future upon returning home. For more than 100 years, since WWI, America has proven that working together with democratic allies is the path to prosperity. Kentucky, the U.S., and the world are safer when America is a leader.
Every day, hundreds of flights land at the UPS, DHL, and Amazon hubs at the Louisville and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airports, from every major city in the world. Our manufactured and agricultural products – from cars to bourbon – are sold and distributed worldwide. Our future success depends on safe and secure air, rail, and ocean shipping lines.
Unfortunately, Rep. Massie spends his time spreading internet conspiracies about Israel, Ukraine, January 6, and the FBI. Our national interests, and our veterans, do not deserve to be undermined by our own congressional representative.
Matt will work to ensure that our military, our diplomats, and our international development efforts are the best in the world and that they have the resources to carry out their missions.
HEALTHCARE & HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Despite our superiority in medical research and development of new technologies, America’s healthcare system is bloated and ineffective. We pay vastly more than any other industrialized country in the world for healthcare and we suffer from worse patient outcomes.
The cost of healthcare is especially acute for small businesses and the self-employed, hindering the engine of America’s future economic growth.
Our healthcare workers – doctors, nurses, EMTs, therapists, pharmacists – are overworked and exhausted. They have been on the front line fighting the opioid epidemic and COVID, all while dealing with insurance companies and other middlemen making their jobs more difficult. Our country owes our healthcare workers for their service.
Matt has worked his whole career in healthcare and knows the issues well. He will work tirelessly to bring down healthcare costs, simplify our delivery of healthcare, and improve health outcomes for Kentucky.
HEALTHCARE & HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Despite our superiority in medical research and the development of new technologies, America’s healthcare system is bloated and ineffective. We pay vastly more than any other industrialized country in the world for healthcare, and we suffer from worse patient outcomes.
Healthcare costs are especially acute for small businesses and the self-employed, hindering the engine of America’s future economic growth.
Our healthcare workers – doctors, nurses, EMTs, therapists, and pharmacists – are overworked and exhausted. They have been on the front line fighting the opioid epidemic and COVID while dealing with insurance companies and other middlemen, making their jobs more difficult. Our country owes our healthcare workers for their service.
Matt has worked his whole career in healthcare and knows the issues well. He will work tirelessly for universal, simpler, and affordable healthcare.
THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY
Horses, thoroughbreds, in particular, are integral to the history and culture of Kentucky. Kentucky’s horse industry is responsible for more than 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and $5.2 billion in economic impact statewide. The Kentucky Derby is among the largest events each year in America and one of our most unique traditions.
Unfortunately, the racing industry has suffered from doping scandals, safety concerns, and integrity issues in recent years. To combat these problems, Congress passed the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (“HISA”) of 2020. Co-sponsored by every Kentucky legislator except Thomas Massie, supported by Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and The Jockey Club and signed into law by President Trump, HISA promises to renew and strengthen the thoroughbred industry.
Matt promises to work tirelessly to ensure the proper funding and implementation of HISA for the benefit of Kentucky. Unlike Rep. Massie, Matt believes that constructive representation in Congress will lead to benefits for Kentucky’s industries
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