SENATORS DENEEN AND RICHARDSON THANK PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR PROTECTING TROOP PAY, DEMAND FOR BESHEAR ADMINISTRATION TO ADDRESS SENIOR MEAL CRISIS
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 16, 2025)— Sen. Matt Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, chair of the Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee (VMAPP), and Sen. Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville, a member of VMAPP, issued the following joint statement thanking President Donald Trump for his efforts to ensure pay for American service members during the federal shutdown.
“We’re grateful to President Trump for leveraging all options at his disposal to make sure members of America’s armed forces continue to receive the paychecks they so richly deserve. At a time when families across the country are facing uncertainty, our men and women in uniform deserve the assurance that their service and sacrifice are appreciated and valued.
“Fort Knox and Fort Campbell are home to thousands of Kentucky soldiers and military families, so this is especially important to us when we realize how many of our constituents could be impacted if our brave servicemen and women are ignored. President Trump’s commitment sends a clear message that we will respect and honor our heroes.
“We must acknowledge the stark contrast in executive branch leadership at the federal level, and that at the state level here in Kentucky. While President Trump is working to take care of America’s heroes, Governor Beshear still hasn’t offered a solution to the ongoing challenges related to Kentucky’s senior meals program. The need for action was well documented in legislative committee on Thursday. No executive branch plan was offered then, and one week later, no solution has been provided.
“The difference in leadership couldn’t be clearer. We join our colleagues from the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee in imploring Governor Beshear to work immediately to resolve his administration’s mistake, and do all that is necessary to keep vulnerable Kentucky seniors from continuing to go hungry.”
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Sens. Deneen and Richardson represent Kentucky’s two military installations: Fort Knox and Fort Campbell.
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Sen. Matt Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, represents the 10th Senate District, which includes Hardin County and a portion of Jefferson County. He serves as co-chair of the Interim Joint Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection, and serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Agriculture; Families and Children; and Judiciary. Deneen is also a member of the Housing Task Force. He also serves as co-chair of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee, a statutory body responsible for monitoring Kentucky’s education accountability system.
For a high-resolution .jpeg of Deneen, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate110.jpg
Sen. Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville, represents the 3rd Senate District, including Christian, Caldwell, and Muhlenberg Counties. He serves as co-chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services and also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Agriculture; Appropriations and Revenue; Health Services; and Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. Additionally, he is a member of the Government Contract Review Committee and the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee. He was recently named as a member of the newly established Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board and the Make America Healthy Again Task Force.
For a high-resolution .jpeg of Richardson, please visit:
https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate103.jpg
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2025 Legislative Session, including committees, membership, legislation, and more.
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