Chris Murphy Says He Still Supports Schumer As Leader But Not Dems’ Current Tactics

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said he still supports Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer after Schumer and other Senate Democrats voted to avert a government shutdown but said that Democrats must change their tactics.

“What’s important is that we meet this moment,” Murphy said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” to host Kristen Welker. “And what I’m telling you is that if we continue to observe norms, if we continue to engage in business as usual, this democracy could be gone. I don’t think we have a year to save American democracy.”

Schumer’s decision to support the Republican-backed continuing resolution prompted a strong critical response from some of his fellow Democrats, with some calling for new leadership within the Democratic caucus. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sidestepped a question about whether there should be new Democratic leadership in the Senate over the weekend.

But Murphy, who voted against the measure, defended Schumer.

“Leader Schumer has a very difficult job. I don't envy the job that he has,” Murphy said, adding: “I still support Senator Schumer as leader.”

However, Murphy added that the survival of the Democratic caucus is dependent on its willingness to challenge the Trump administration.

“I understand the danger of a shutdown right now,” Murphy said. “But as we saw just hours after that bill passed the Senate, the president is continuing to act unconstitutionally. ... So by passing the spending bill, it doesn't seem that we have restrained any of the president's lawlessness.”

Many Americans are calling for change from the Democrats as well. Just 27 percent of registered voters said they have positive views of the party, according to new polling released from NBC. Only seven percent said those views are “very” positive — the lowest number ever recorded for the party.

“I think the American public right now wants us to stand up, Democrats, to stand up and take some risks,” Murphy said.