Chris Murphy Claims Democracy Is at Risk When Dems Work With GOP [WATCH]

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut urged members of his party to close ranks following the end of the recent government shutdown, telling voters in New Hampshire that Democrats cannot afford internal divisions after several senators crossed party lines to advance a stopgap spending measure.

Murphy delivered the remarks Wednesday during a visit to New Hampshire, where he participated in a town hall event hosted by the New Hampshire Institute of Politics and Stand Up New Hampshire.

In a video obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation, Murphy warned that bipartisan cooperation on the shutdown exposed a deeper challenge for Democrats.

“The only way we’re going to survive this moment is to stay united,” Murphy said

. “There’s obviously been this repeating phenomenon where a handful of Democrats crosses over and works with Republicans. I don’t know that you can save our democracy, if we aren’t united.”

Murphy’s comments followed the decision by eight members of the Senate Democratic Caucus to break from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and vote with Republicans to advance the stopgap spending bill. The measure ended a funding lapse that had persisted for weeks.

Two of the Democrats who supported the bill were New Hampshire Sens. Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen. Both cited the impact of the shutdown on their constituents and said they hoped Republicans would work with them on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits in December.

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Neither senator was named directly by Murphy, but he made clear he disagreed with the decision to move forward with a deal.

“What happened in our caucus last week can’t continue to happen,” Murphy said.

“We’ve got to stay united.”

In the days leading up to the vote, Murphy had urged his colleagues to continue pressing their shutdown demands.

He argued that conceding early, particularly after Democrats’ strong results in November’s off-year elections, could cause “some pretty substantial damage” to the party’s standing.

Murphy said the party had gained momentum following its setbacks in the 2024 elections and should not risk losing ground.

Questions about Schumer’s position surfaced during Murphy’s visit. Schumer opposed the bipartisan spending package but drew criticism from progressives for failing to keep Democrats aligned during the shutdown.

More than ten House Democrats have publicly urged Schumer to step aside.

No Senate Democrats have issued similar calls. When asked directly whether Schumer should remain as the party’s leader in the Senate, Murphy replied, “I think Chuck has a super hard job right now.”

Murphy was also asked whether he is considering a run for president. The Connecticut Democrat did not provide a direct answer.

“I’m here because New Hampshire is the epicenter of American democracy, in some ways,” Murphy said.

“I’m just here to say thank you for what they did to elect a bunch of Democrats in this last election and to spur them on.”

Murphy made the trip as part of a broader effort to engage with voters after the shutdown and speak with Democrats involved in recounts, local races, and state-level organizing.

The New Hampshire appearance followed a series of discussions Murphy held with activists about the party’s direction heading into the next legislative fight.