Senator Murphy says Trump is “likely encouraged” by 8 Democrats voting to end the shutdown

Amna Nawaz:

On the other side of the debate, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut is one of the Democrats who voted against the deal. I spoke to him earlier today.

Senator Murphy, welcome back to The News Hour. Thank you for joining us.

Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut):

Thanks for having me.

Amna Nawaz:

So, as you just heard, Senator Kaine laid out his reasons for supporting the deal. He says it ends the pain Americans feel, and paves the way for a vote on health care. He says previously there was no evidence that Republicans would even talk about voting on health care without reopening the government. Is he wrong?

Senator Chris Murphy:

Well, Tim and I have a disagreement about this. I think we’re actually losing leverage in our fight for Americans now that we’ve capitulated to Donald Trump without any real protections for people’s health care or for our democracy in this short-term funding bill.

The truth is that these premium increases were just being noticed by Americans. The pressure was going to be mounting on Donald Trump and Republicans over the next few days and weeks to do something about this impending disaster, as insurance premiums rose 75%, 100%, and 200% on many Americans.

I think the problem here is that the old rules don’t apply. President Trump is likely to be encouraged by his victory with the approval of eight Democrats. Its illegality is likely to grow.

We were divided on this vote last night, and we will be again later today or later this week when we vote, but we will have to find a way to come together, because we will have tougher and more important battles ahead of us on health care, the president’s unconstitutionality, and illegal waging of war abroad.

I’m sure Senator Kaine and I will be back on the same page very soon.

Amna Nawaz:

The deal extends SNAP funding and WIC funding. Mass dismissals of federal workers are prohibited over the next few months. Is it fair to say the Democrats got some of what you wanted on this?

Senator Chris Murphy:

Well, I mean, SNAP funding only starts when the government reopens, so that’s not a special line item in this budget.

I mean, listen, what did we say when this fight started? We said we would only vote on a budget that prevents these health care premium increases from going into effect. Eight Democrats have decided to change their position, and now those premium increases are likely to take effect.

I support my eight colleagues. They believe Republicans will now come to the table and engage in good faith negotiations to try to prevent these premium increases from taking effect. I will do anything I can to try to help make that a reality. We just had a disagreement.

I don’t really believe Republicans when they say they’ll come to the table. I think they were using any excuse to try to get a bunch of Democrats to vote to reopen the government. But, again, I support this to be true, and I will do everything I can to get this agreement.

Amna Nawaz:

But you don’t seem to trust Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep his side of the bargain. What do you do next? Are Democrats ready to shut down the government again?

Senator Chris Murphy:

This is a question for my colleagues who are now voting to reopen the government.

Listen, I don’t think our party is obligated to vote for a corrupt and immoral budget. This budget, in my view, is especially good if it becomes a long-term budget – remember we just voted to reopen the budget for two months. If this budget becomes permanent and there is no relief for health care consumers, and it funds the illegitimacy of Donald Trump, it literally funds the work of the Department of Justice to try to lock up Democratic United States Senators, that would be an abdication of our constitutional responsibility.

I know there’s been a lot of pressure on some of my colleagues to reopen the government temporarily, but I hope we’re united in saying we’re not going to vote on a full-year budget that doesn’t include real, serious checks on Donald Trump’s corruption of his power.

Amna Nawaz:

Democrats have drawn the line on extending health care subsidies. Why couldn’t Leader Schumer bring Democrats together on this?

Senator Chris Murphy:

Well, listen, I think we have a lot of work to do. This is not an acceptable way to operate our caucus, where just a handful of eight or nine or 10 Democrats regularly intersect with Republicans.

We have to show some solidarity if we want to save this republic. When we are divided in this way, it plays into the hands of someone like Donald Trump, who is trying to destroy our democracy. I know Senator Schumer has a tough job, but this can’t happen again.

We have to find a way to stay united. We’re not like that this week, and that doesn’t help anyone except President Trump.

Amna Nawaz:

Are you worried this might happen again? Do you trust Leader Schumer?

Senator Chris Murphy:

Well, I’m definitely worried that it will happen again. And I think we have to have a difficult conversation within the entire caucus to come to some conclusions about how to make sure we stay united.

People came out last Tuesday and said loud and clear, we want Democrats to stand up and fight. We know the shutdown is difficult, but we don’t want you to sign a budget that doesn’t protect our health care.

So I think, especially when we get these mandates from the public, we have to listen and we have to try to stay together within the caucus.

Amna Nawaz:

To be clear, could this conversation among Democrats include a change in leadership?

Senator Chris Murphy:

Well, I think, now, this conversation should take place behind closed doors between the 47 of us. I think we can come to a conclusion. I hope we can reach a conclusion that keeps us together the next time we reach an important moment like this.

Amna Nawaz:

This is Democratic Senator Chris Murphy joining us tonight.

Senator Murphy, thank you. Always good to see you. We appreciate your time.

Senator Chris Murphy:

Thank you.