Democrat Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy quickly betrayed his support for the government’s closure on Sunday after NBC host Kristen Welker faced the subject on past opposition.

Before a small number of Senate Democrats helped push for the GOP-backed spending bill, several Democrats advocated for lawmakers to block the bill. While discussing the disapproval of the bill with Welker on “Meet the Press,” Murphy argued that Americans “understand” the Democrats needed to push for a shutdown.

But some time later, Welker played multiple clips of Murphy opposed government closures in 2019 and 2023. Meanwhile, the senator urged her to ask, “It’s hard to explain the impact of the shutdown, but they’re huge.” (Related: “Pure Courage Moment”: Scott Jennings growls as Schumer joins Republicans to defeat the “Jim Crow” filibuster)

“I don’t think Americans understood it, but they probably understood why we got there,” Murphy said. “If you’re a majority party, you have an obligation to negotiate with the minority. Republicans refuse.”

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“Again, more than ever, there has been no spending bill written by just one party,” Murphy added. “At this point, it seems like an absolute wrong time that gives him these new powers when the president is acting unconstitutional.”

Democrats seemed to turn their stances, including filibusters and government shutdowns, when they pushed back the recent spending bill that passed the Senate by 62-38 votes. To avoid the filibuster, 10 Democrats, including Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, joined the Republicans, pushing the bill on Friday, urging them to call for new Senate leaders within the party. (Related: “Hypocrisy is the Point”: Kirsten Cinema gives her final laugh with Filibuster)

“Listen, I understand that no voting was a risk, right? But I think the American public is hoping we can get up and stand up and take risks,” Murphy continued.

“Every day, the president engages in extraordinary tactics in risk-resistant behavior,” Murphy said. “I don’t think you’ll save our Republic, play our democracy straight, and save our democracy by maintaining norms when the president is crushing every day.”

As Democrats continue to struggle since President Donald Trump won to unify behind a single message, a recent CNN poll shows the party is showing a new low in recognition ratings. According to a CNN/SSRS poll, Democrats currently have a 29% favorable rating, a 20 percentage point decline since January 2021.

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