Dem Sen Calls Shutdown ‘A Nightmare’ But Refuses To Reopen Government

Senate Democrats recognize the harm their own constituents could face during a prolonged shutdown, but are increasingly entrenched against reopening the government until their $1.5 trillion spending demands are met.

Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy told reporters the shutdowns are a “nightmare” and are impacting his constituents, but sought to blame Republicans as the shutdown entered its seven-day mark Tuesday. Murphy and the majority of Senate Democrats have repeatedly changed a bipartisan spending bill to fund the government — and show little sign of reversing it. (Related: Democrats Say They’re Not Responsible for Troops Working Unpaid in Schumer Shutdown)

“Having been through closures before, they are a nightmare,” Murphy said. “I am concerned about all the impacts of a closure.”

“There are impacts on the army. There are impacts on families who send their children to Head Start [programs]. There are impacts on air traffic in this country,” Murphy continued. “But I mean, how the hell [Speaker] Mike Johnson says anything with a straight face right now where he won’t even have his members here to vote on anything? “

Republicans, conversely, voted almost unanimously to avoid a funding lapse since the shutdown began on October 1.

Johnson has repeatedly defended his move to adjourn the House during the shutdown, arguing that his chamber did its job when it passed a clean funding bill in September to avoid a funding lapse. Murphy voted against the measure five times in the Senate, in stark contrast to three members of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Caucus, who regularly crossed party lines to fund the government.

A long-term shutdown is expected to inflict far-reaching consequences for Americans who receive a federal paycheck or rely on certain federally run programs.

The White House moved Tuesday to a food aid program in danger of running out of funding during the shutdown. Some federal health care services that Medicare beneficiaries rely on and a federal flood insurance program have expired. Millions of Americans, including active duty military, show up to work despite no expectation they will be paid on time.

Murphy said he understood some Americans’ anxiety around the shutdown, but argued that Democrats were not to blame. Active duty service members would not receive a paycheck if the government is still shut down by the military’s next pay date on October 15.

“I care about the military’s paychecks, but there are many other people who, if they miss a paycheck, will have their lives deeply impacted,” Murphy continued. “Again – this is just me – I don’t understand why any party is boycotting Washington right now.”

A spokesperson for Murphy did not respond to DCNF’s request for comment.

Top GOP leaders hammered Democrats for keeping the government closed when they spoke with reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday.

“Every day that Democrats keep the government closed creates more, and worse, consequences for the American people,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune. “The White House estimates that it costs our economy about $15 billion per week to continue to shut down the government.”

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 07: U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), joined by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), speaks to members of the media after the Republican Senate Policy Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on October 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. The two leaders were also joined by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) and Senator John Barrasso (R-WY). (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Murphy also signaled Tuesday that he may never get to a place where he is comfortable voting for a bill that funds the government for the next fiscal year.

Many Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have focused their demands on extending short-term Obamacare subsidies that are set to expire at the end of the year. Murphy told reporters he would need concessions from Republicans to limit Trump’s ability to roll back funding to reopen the government, which is likely a non-starter for Republicans.

Democrats’ $1.5 trillion counterproposal to temporarily fund the government would also eliminate a $50 million rural hospital fund and reverse cuts to public broadcasting and foreign aid.

“This is a unique moment where we can demand that we will only vote for a budget that helps our people and stops lawlessness,” Murphy told reporters. “I want the ACA subsidies restored, but I would also be a sucker for voting for a budget that allows Trump to continue to get away with this level of corruption and allows him to simply roll back the spending in the bill for states like Connecticut.”

“We’re not asking for anything unreasonable here,” Murphy continued. “We just want the president to obey the law, and we want people’s premiums not to go up 100%.”

Caden Olson contributed to this report.