Murphy says Americans want Democrats to 'take risks right now' to 'save our democracy'
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said on Sunday that Americans want Democrats to “take risks right now” to “save our democracy” after internal party divisions over a funding bill.
“While I totally understand my colleagues who didn't want to catapult us into a shutdown, I actually think that the American people would've understood that Republicans have an obligation to negotiate with Democrats,” Murphy told NBC’s Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press.”
“This is the first full-year spending bill since I've been in Congress that was written only by the Republican Party. So, yes, it would’ve been a risk. I understand the decision that many of my Democratic colleagues made, but I think the American people want us to take risks right now in order to save our democracy,” the Connecticut Democrat added.
On Friday, a small group of Democrats voted to advance a Republican-crafted funding bill despite intense opposition from many in their party. The group included Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who received blowback from prominent progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) after he said he would vote to advance the bill.
“There is a deep sense of outrage and betrayal,” Ocasio-Cortez said Thursday. “And this is not just about progressive Democrats. This is across the board — the entire party.”
President Trump praised the Senate minority leader for his decision Friday on his Truth Social platform.
“Congratulations to Chuck Schumer for doing the right thing — Took ‘guts’ and courage! The big Tax Cuts, L.A. fire fix, Debt Ceiling Bill, and so much more, is coming. We should all work together on that very dangerous situation. A non pass would be a Country destroyer, approval will lead us to new heights,” Trump said on the platform.
Topics
-
Murphy backs Schumer's leadership but says caucus must 'change our tactics' to be effective
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) backed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) leadership on Sunday but said the caucus "must change our tactics" to be effective. “I still support Senator ...The Hill - 36m -
Shutdown 'would have sent message' that Democrats won't be 'bullied' by Trump, Sen. Murphy says
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) defends his “no” vote on a Republican spending bill that averted a government shutdown.NBC News - 6h -
Sen. Chris Murphy says he supports Schumer as leader but Democrats need to change their ‘tactics’
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) says Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) “can lead this caucus” but Democrats “need to have a conversation” about standing up to Republicans more effectively.NBC News - 6h -
Sen. Chris Murphy says he supports Schumer as leader but Democrats need to change their ‘tactics’
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) says Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) “can lead this caucus” but Democrats “need to have a conversation” about standing up to Republicans more effectively.NBC News - 6h -
Sen. Chris Murphy says he supports Chuck Schumer as leader but Democrats must change tactics
Sen. Chris Murphy says he still has confidence in Minority Leader Chuck Schumer but Democrats must change tactics in combatting Trump's agendaNBC News - 5h -
Slotkin slams 'reckless' approach to tariffs: 'I just want a scalpel and not a sledgehammer'
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said Sunday that most Democrats don't oppose tariffs altogether, but she criticized President Trump's approach as "reckless." "Most of us aren't against tariffs, full ...The Hill - Mar. 9 -
Senate Democrat: This is 'best time' to take on 'tyrant' Trump
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) said the current fight over a Republican spending bill was the "best time" for Democrats to take on President Trump, coming less than two months into his presidency. ...The Hill - 2d -
Democrats need ‘new voices’ in fight against Trump, says Sen. Slotkin
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who delivered the Democratic response to President Trump’s joint address, says Democrats are still “finding our ...NBC News - Mar. 9 -
LGBTQ groups call on Democrats to 'do more' to protect their rights
LGBTQ rights groups are asking the Democratic Party to “do more” to protect the rights of gay and transgender Americans in the face of threats from the Trump administration and a growing divide ...The Hill - 5d
More from The Hill
-
Live updates: Trump blocked from using Alien Enemies Act; Houthis vow retaliation after US airstrikes
A federal judge expanded his ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on Saturday, preventing the removal of Venezuelan undocumented ...The Hill - 34m -
Murphy backs Schumer's leadership but says caucus must 'change our tactics' to be effective
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) backed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) leadership on Sunday but said the caucus "must change our tactics" to be effective. “I still support Senator ...The Hill - 36m -
Witkoff says administration is ‘exploring’ alternatives for Gaza relocation
Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff said the administration is “exploring” alternatives for relocation of the Palestinian people after President Trump said he would take over Gaza to ...The Hill - 38m -
Is Elon Musk a national security threat?
Elon Musk's deep financial ties to China, his influence over U.S. defense infrastructure, and his alleged ketamine use raise concerns about his ability to compromise the structure of America's ...The Hill - 53m -
Witkoff highlights Russia negotiations, calls Trump the 'ultimate decisionmaker'
Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff highlighted his recent negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine but noted that President Trump is the “ultimate decisionmaker” in the ...The Hill - 1h
More in Politics
-
Live updates: Trump blocked from using Alien Enemies Act; Houthis vow retaliation after US airstrikes
A federal judge expanded his ruling temporarily blocking the Trump administration from invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 on Saturday, preventing the removal of Venezuelan undocumented ...The Hill - 34m -
Murphy backs Schumer's leadership but says caucus must 'change our tactics' to be effective
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) backed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) leadership on Sunday but said the caucus "must change our tactics" to be effective. “I still support Senator ...The Hill - 36m -
Witkoff says administration is ‘exploring’ alternatives for Gaza relocation
Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff said the administration is “exploring” alternatives for relocation of the Palestinian people after President Trump said he would take over Gaza to ...The Hill - 38m -
Is Elon Musk a national security threat?
Elon Musk's deep financial ties to China, his influence over U.S. defense infrastructure, and his alleged ketamine use raise concerns about his ability to compromise the structure of America's ...The Hill - 53m -
Witkoff highlights Russia negotiations, calls Trump the 'ultimate decisionmaker'
Trump administration special envoy Steve Witkoff highlighted his recent negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine but noted that President Trump is the “ultimate decisionmaker” in the ...The Hill - 1h