[1]U.S. Senator Chris Murphy
Like you, I’m angry. There's no way to sugarcoat what happened last night.
Here’s why this continuing resolution (CR) is a major mistake:
Donald Trump and his Republican enablers caused the shutdown. And even
more egregiously, Trump has gone out of his way to make it worse, most
recently by illegally trying to use hungry kids as leverage to compel
Democrats into submission. He is hurting people in order to enrich
himself, destroy our democracy and stay in power forever. His actions over
the past month confirm this.
My fear is that Trump gets stronger, not weaker, because of this
acquiescence.
Bullies gain power when their misconduct succeeds in causing righteous
people to yield in the face of their wrongdoing. That’s why voting for
Trump's continuing resolution — without any protection against his health
care cuts or his growing illegality — is a mistake.
Last Tuesday, people poured out of their homes and to the polls to reject
Donald Trump but also to urge Democrats to hold firm in our refusal to
vote for a short-term budget that throws millions off their health care
and allows Trump’s corruption to continue, fully funded and unabated.
People know the government shutdown hurts. But people also know that
Americans will die when millions cannot afford health insurance next year
because of Trump’s massive premium hikes. They wanted us to continue that
fight, even knowing that victory was not certain. And 7 million people
rushed to the streets last month because they did not want allies of
democracy to vote for a budget that puts no significant checks on Trump’s
increasing authoritarian behavior. They did not want this outcome.
I understand my colleagues' desire to fund the government. What Trump has
put people through these last few weeks is abhorrent. Of course, I want to
end the shutdown too. But not at any cost.
Standing up to a tyrant who is willing to impose pain in order to compel
loyalty or capitulation is hard. Especially for people of good heart who
never want to see people suffer. But there is no path to saving our
democracy that doesn’t involve hard choices - some that involve enduring
pain in the service of proving the demagogue's bullying tactics do not
work.
Republicans have said they will discuss putting off the premium increases
they set in motion once the government opens. I hope they are true to
their word. If they are not and millions suffer as their health care costs
double — all to finance a giant tax cut for billionaires and corporations
— voters will know who to blame. Despite my deep disappointment at this
deal, make no mistake — the evil that is about to be done to families with
sick kids and high medical bills rests solely at the feet of Donald Trump
and his Republican enablers.
This will not be the last test put to the defenders of democracy. There is
no way to sugarcoat this moment. It will have a cost. But it is up to us
to keep the fight going.
There will likely be even bigger, more consequential moments ahead of us —
more chances to stand together against this growing totalitarian
inhumanity.
The fight isn’t over — by any stretch. I hope you’ll stay in it with me.
Every best wish,
Chris
👋An important request before you click away…
Chris Murphy is at the forefront of Democrats’ efforts to fight back
against Donald Trump. He’s trying to model the kind of leadership you
deserve from your elected officials in this moment.
It’s a tough fight that requires his full attention. Anything you can give
makes a difference because we don’t take a dime from PACs or corporations.
[ [link removed] ]Please consider making a donation to support Senator Murphy’s
Mobilization Fund. Your donation will help Chris stay on the road, invest
in organizing efforts, and mobilize people against Trump. This is a 100%
grassroots movement. Chris refuses to be beholden to the corrupt interests
and billionaires who profit off the status quo.
[ [link removed] ]DONATE
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