Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a prominent Democrat and possible 2028 presidential hopeful, criticized his fellow party members this week for working with Republicans to end the recent government shutdown—warning that bipartisan cooperation could endanger what he described as “our democracy.”
During remarks in New Hampshire on Wednesday, Murphy argued that Democrats must maintain absolute unity against Republican priorities, rejecting the idea that compromise is a political virtue. “The only way we’re going to survive this moment is to stay united,” Murphy said in a video.
“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 follow the actions of eight Democratic senators who broke from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s strategy and voted with Republicans to advance a stopgap spending measure, ending the weeks-long funding lapse that had closed portions of the federal government. Among them were New Hampshire Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, who defended their decision as a necessary step to ease the financial toll of the shutdown on their constituents.
Hassan and Shaheen expressed optimism that the cooperation could lead to further bipartisan progress on issues such as extending Affordable Care Act premium tax credits later this year. But Murphy, reflecting the left wing’s frustration, made clear he saw their actions as a dangerous precedent. “What happened in our caucus last week can’t continue to happen,” he said. “We’ve got to stay united.”
Murphy had pushed his colleagues to hold out for Democratic demands even after the shutdown began hurting federal workers and small businesses. He said the party’s refusal to fight longer could cause “some pretty substantial damage” to its brand, which he claimed had been recovering after the 2024 midterm losses.
When asked whether Schumer should remain at the helm of the Senate Democratic caucus, Murphy avoided a direct answer. “I think Chuck has a super hard job right now,” he said. Schumer, who opposed the bipartisan bill but ultimately failed to keep his party in line, has faced growing criticism from the party’s progressive wing.
More than ten House Democrats have already called for Schumer to step aside, frustrated by what they view as a lack of resolve in opposing Republican spending priorities. Though no Senate Democrat has yet publicly joined that call, Schumer’s leadership faces increasing scrutiny from activists and left-leaning lawmakers alike.
Murphy’s trip to New Hampshire—an early presidential primary state—has fueled speculation about his national ambitions. When asked whether he was testing the waters for a 2028 campaign, Murphy sidestepped the question. “I’m here because New Hampshire is the epicenter of American democracy, in some ways,” he 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’s remarks at a town hall hosted by the New Hampshire Institute of Politics and the Democratic group Stand Up New Hampshire reflect a growing tension within the party between those pushing for ideological purity and others calling for pragmatic cooperation.
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