Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has expressed that the decision to capitulate and reopen the government without including subsidies for the Affordable Care Act was a mistake. He emphasized that Democratic lawmakers cannot afford to divide as they did previously, with concerns that Donald Trump may feel emboldened by the collaboration of some Democrats in ending the shutdown. Murphy and fellow Senator Richard Blumenthal have vehemently rejected the shutdown deal due to its lack of health care protections. In a press release, Murphy criticized the continuing resolution for failing to safeguard healthcare and warned against supporting a plan that undermines democratic principles. Both senators stand firm against the funding plan, arguing that true democratic actions require a commitment to health care security.