Senator Murphy Answers Questions About The Shutdown During Interview On CBS
There’s no shortage of irony in Washington, but every now and then, it crystallizes so clearly that even the most seasoned spin-meister can’t wiggle out of it. That’s what happened on Sunday, when CBS News’ Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan—often criticized for her aggressive slant against conservatives—turned the tables, not on a Republican, but on Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut.
The issue at hand: the ongoing government shutdown, widely attributed to Democratic obstructionism. Brennan didn’t pull punches. She confronted Murphy with his own words from 2018, back when Democrats shut down the government during a standoff over border security.
At the time, Murphy had sternly condemned the practice of using federal workers and national security as bargaining chips. His exact words? “We shouldn't be having the discussion amidst a government shutdown, and trying to use our nation's security and all of these federal workers and the work that they do as hostages.”
WOW! Democrats failed so miserably on the government shutdown even CBS is BRUTALLY calling them out now
BRENNAN: You've been critical of shutting down the government! 2018 and 2013. Here's what you said in 2018.
SEN. MURPHY (D): "We shouldn't be having the discussion amidst… pic.twitter.com/qgvoYghcPU
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 12, 2025
Fast forward to now—and Murphy finds himself on the opposite side of the very argument he once made. But this time, the stakes are even more contentious. The current shutdown isn’t about mainstream policy disagreements. It’s about demands from the Left that include $1.5 trillion in new spending—some of it earmarked for health care benefits for illegal immigrants, and yes, continued funding for NPR.
Murphy’s response to Brennan’s questioning? Predictable, and weak. He claimed this situation was “different,” offering little substance beyond a well-worn Democratic talking point. But the comparison was clear, and Brennan wasn’t letting him off the hook.
A sign that the shutdown is not going well for Democrats: They've lost Margaret Brennan pic.twitter.com/0UpBVCIZ9n
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) October 12, 2025
At the core of this political standoff lies an uncomfortable truth for the Left: they are fighting for an unpopular cause. Americans are not clamoring for expanded healthcare for illegal aliens, particularly not at the cost of a functional government.
The expiration of healthcare subsidies in December is a valid concern, but Democrats have made it clear this is about more than just subsidies. Their line in the sand centers around ideological entitlements, not practical governance.
