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Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy found himself in an awkward position during a recent “Meet the Press” appearance when host Kristen Welker challenged his newfound support for a government shutdown, despite his previous firm opposition to such measures.
The confrontation came after several Senate Democrats, including Murphy, pushed to block a GOP-backed spending bill that would have triggered a government shutdown early Saturday. During the interview, Murphy initially defended the Democratic position, suggesting that the American public would have understood their rationale for forcing a shutdown.
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Welker presented footage from 2019 and 2023 showing Murphy’s previous statements against government shutdowns, where he had emphasized their severe consequences, stating “it’s hard to explain the ramifications of a shutdown, but they’re enormous.”
Chris Murphy's reaction to historically low polling for the Democrat Party is to double down on what got them here.
The Democrats won't win an election for decades if they continue toward 0% approval. pic.twitter.com/CRtWgCno1T
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) March 16, 2025
When pressed about his apparent reversal, Murphy attempted to clarify his position, saying, “Listen, I don’t think Americans would have understood, but they would have understood why we got there. If you are the majority party, you have an obligation to negotiate with the minority. Republicans refuse to do that.”
He further defended his stance by adding, “Again, never before has a spending bill been written by only one party. At this moment, when the president is acting so unconstitutionally, it just seems like the absolute wrong time to give him these new powers.”
This shift in position mirrors a broader pattern among Democrats, who have recently modified their stances on issues like the filibuster and government shutdowns while opposing the spending bill. Despite their resistance, the bill passed the Senate with a 62-38 vote, with ten Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, joining Republicans in support.
The Democratic Party’s Chris Murphy problem https://t.co/PGhaSGIAhY
— George Colli (@GeorgeColli) March 16, 2025
Murphy acknowledged the risks of his position but remained steadfast, stating, “Listen, I understand that a no vote was a risk, right? But I think the American public right now want us to stand up, Democrats, to stand up and take some risks.”
He continued his defense by arguing, “Every single day, the president is engaging in exceptional tactics in risk tolerant behavior. I don’t think you save the republic and save our democracy by playing it straight and maintaining norms when the president is shattering them every single day.”
The Democrats’ struggle to maintain a unified message since President Trump’s election victory has coincided with declining public support. A recent CNN/SSRS poll revealed that the party’s favorability rating has plummeted to 29%, marking a significant 20-point decrease since January 2021.
