© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Murphy launching fundraiser to boost gun safety, help Democrats

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Ct., speaks during a morning television interview, Wednesday, May 25, 2022 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Murphy took to the Senate floor Tuesday and demanded that lawmakers accomplish what they failed to do after 20 children, mostly 6 or 7 years old, and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut died on Dec. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
J. Scott Applewhite
/
AP
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., speaks during a morning television interview, Wednesday, May 25, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Murphy took to the Senate floor and demanded that lawmakers accomplish what they failed to do after 20 children, mostly 6 or 7 years old, and six educators in Newtown, Conn., were killed on Dec. 14, 2012.

Passing additional gun safety legislation depends on Democrats not just maintaining but growing their ranks in Congress, and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., is hoping his party can “defy the odds” in the November midterm elections and build on their majorities.

Murphy was expected to announce Friday that he is bringing back the 24-hour online fundraising blitz that he first coordinated with gun control groups back in 2018. He will launch the effort on Oct. 7 with the goal of raising $1 million for seven Democratic candidates in competitive races across the country as well as one gun-related ballot measure.

Murphy said he anticipates raising less this year because there is usually “a little less enthusiasm from the donor base when in power,” but he hopes there’s more motivation after the recent passage of a bipartisan gun safety bill. In midterm years, the party that controls the White House typically loses seats.

“It’s important that we protect the majority,” Murphy said in an interview. “The odds are stacked against us in a midterm election, but if we defy the odds and hold the majority and pick up a few governorships, I think the issue of gun violence will be seen as one of the motivating forces.”

Murphy and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are organizing the online fundraising push, which will happen across social media platforms and email. He is coordinating with many of the same gun safety groups that got involved four years ago: the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety and Giffords. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also participate again in the fundraiser.

The beneficiaries who are running in tough Senate races include Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H. The fundraising spree will also benefit House incumbents Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill.; Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J.; Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va.; as well as Gabe Vasquez, a Democratic candidate seeking a seat in New Mexico.

Beyond Congress, the fundraiser will raise money for gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. And aside from candidates, they will be raising money for a ballot initiative in Oregon that would require permits for all gun purchases that prompt completion of a background check and safety training class. It also prohibits sales of magazines with more than 10 rounds.

While they control both chambers of Congress, Democrats hold extremely narrow margins, especially in the Senate, where legislation frequently gets stalled amid threats of Republican filibusters. In a divided 50-50 Senate, most bills need at least 10 GOP senators supporting it to clear the 60-vote threshold to move them toward final passage.

Because of that reality, some of the larger elements were left out of the bipartisan gun safety bill, including restoring the assault weapons ban and implementing universal background checks on firearms purchases. Democrats want to renew the federal assault weapons ban that expired 18 years ago. Murphy acknowledged at a recent rally alongside gun violence survivors calling for a ban that the gun safety movement will likely “lose a couple of times before we win.”

If they want to pass more expansive legislation on the issue, Senate Democrats need at least a few more seats. Murphy believes if Democrats pick up a couple more and expand their majority to 52 to 54 senators, they have a better chance of advancing more gun measures, like raising the age to 21 for buying an assault weapon.

“Our vote count was very close to 60 on that, but it wasn’t 60,” Murphy said about a provision to increase the minimum age that ultimately didn’t make it into the bipartisan bill. “If you pick up a couple extra seats, maybe you don’t have 60 votes for an assault weapons ban automatically, but you might have 60 votes to raise the age to 21.”

Murphy’s work with candidates around the country continues to give him more visibility on the national stage. He campaigned last month with Democrat John Fetterman, who’s running in a competitive race for Pennsylvania’s Senate seat that could help decide which party controls the upper chamber. And now he is using his profile on the issue of guns to fundraise for others in tough races.

Murphy, who is up for reelection in the Senate in 2024, has been asked if he is interested in eventually running for president. In a July interview with the Christian Science Monitor, he said, “At some point in my life that might interest me,” noting that he has young children, but also adding “never say never” when asked about a future run.

But when asked Thursday about his future national ambitions, Murphy insisted that his attention is on his work in the Senate and continuing his work on gun safety.

“I have seen this year what a difference I can make in this job,” Murphy said in an interview with CT Mirror. “It feels like my efforts can be best exerted in the Senate.”

Asked if he’s not ruling out a run for president in the future, he said, “Right now, my focus is on the Senate and growing this movement.”

Lisa Hagen is CT Public and CT Mirror’s shared Federal Policy Reporter. Based in Washington, D.C., she focuses on the impact of federal policy in Connecticut and covers the state’s congressional delegation. Lisa previously covered national politics and campaigns for U.S. News & World Report, The Hill and National Journal’s Hotline.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content