Chris Murphy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chris Murphy
Official portrait, 2013
Deputy Secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2025 Serving with Brian Schatz
Leader	Chuck Schumer
Preceded by	2nd position established
United States Senator from Connecticut
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2013 Serving with Richard Blumenthal
Preceded by	Joe Lieberman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 5th district
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Nancy Johnson
Succeeded by	Elizabeth Esty
Member of the Connecticut State Senate from the 16th district
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Steve Somma
Succeeded by	Sam Caligiuri
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 81st district
In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2003
Preceded by	Angelo Fusco
Succeeded by	Bruce Zalaski
Personal details
Born	Christopher Scott Murphy (1973-08-03) August 3, 1973 (age 51) White Plains, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Cathy Holahan ​ ​ (m. 2007; separated 2024)​
Children	2
Education	Williams College (BA) University of Connecticut (JD)
Signature

Christopher Scott Murphy (born August 3, 1973) is an American politician, lawyer, and author. He has been a U.S. Senator for Connecticut since 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Before becoming a senator, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013. He also worked in the Connecticut General Assembly, serving in both the state House and Senate.

Murphy ran for the U.S. Senate in 2012 when the previous senator, Joe Lieberman, decided to retire. Murphy won the Democratic primary and then defeated Republican candidate Linda McMahon in the general election. At 39, he was the youngest senator in the 113th Congress. He was re-elected in 2018 and 2024.

Chris Murphy's Early Life and Education

Murphy was born on August 3, 1973, in White Plains, New York. His parents are Catherine and Scott Murphy. His father was a lawyer, and his mother was a teacher. He has two younger siblings.

He went to Wethersfield High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Williams College and his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He also studied abroad at the University of Oxford in England. In 2013, he received an honorary degree from the University of New Haven.

Before becoming a politician, Murphy worked on a political campaign in 1996. From 1997 to 1998, he worked for a state senator. His first elected role was in 1997, when he joined the Planning and Zoning Commission in Southington.

Chris Murphy's Time in the Connecticut Legislature

Murphy on election night, 1996

Murphy served in both parts of the Connecticut state legislature.

Connecticut House of Representatives

Becoming a State Representative

In 1998, at 25, Murphy ran against Angelo Fusco, a Republican who had been in office for 14 years. Murphy had support from many labor unions. He won the election with 55% of the vote. In 2000, he was re-elected for a second term.

What He Did in the State House

As a state representative, Murphy worked on several important issues.

• He supported a bill to help end child poverty.
• He suggested a law to give free tuition to students at state community colleges.
• He also proposed banning smoking in state colleges.
• He supported creating a tax credit for low-income workers.
• He was an early supporter of rights for LGBT people.
• He served on the Judiciary Committee, which deals with laws and the legal system.

Connecticut State Senate

Becoming a State Senator

After two terms in the House, Murphy ran for the Connecticut State Senate in 2002 at age 29. He won the election, defeating Republican Ann Dandrow. He was re-elected in 2004.

What He Did in the State Senate

In the State Senate, Murphy continued to work on important issues.

• He supported environmental standards for cars.
• He backed a bill to ban smoking in all restaurants and bars.
• In 2005, he wrote a law to create the Office of Child Protection. This office helps protect children who have been abused or neglected.
• He also wrote a law that allowed stem-cell research in Connecticut, making it one of the first states to do so.
• He was one of the first to support a bill for civil unions, which passed in 2005. He believes that LGBT rights are human rights.
• He was the chairman of the Public Health Committee.

Chris Murphy's Time in the U.S. House of Representatives

Murphy campaigning for presidential candidate Barack Obama in 2008

Becoming a U.S. Representative

In 2006, Murphy decided to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He challenged Nancy Johnson, a Republican who had been in office for 12 terms. Murphy won the election with 56% of the vote. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2010.

What He Did in the U.S. House

• In 2008, Murphy supported a bill to help people with severe disabilities find housing.
• He has called for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
• He voted to extend parts of the Patriot Act in 2011.

Working on Health Care Reform

In 2009, Murphy helped create a health care reform bill for the House. He strongly supports the idea of a "public option." This means creating a government-sponsored health insurance plan to compete with private companies. He believes this would help lower costs and increase competition.

Ted Kennedy and Murphy at a Barack Obama rally in February 2008

Improving Ethics in Government

In 2007, Murphy helped create an independent group to review complaints against members of the U.S. House of Representatives. This group, called the Office of Congressional Ethics, was approved in 2008.

Murphy also suggested that Supreme Court Justices should follow the same ethical rules as other federal judges.

Working on Local Issues

• Murphy has supported the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail Line. This project uses existing train tracks to provide daily commuter service. The line started operating in 2018.
• He also proposed "Billy's Law" in 2009. This law helps improve how law enforcement agencies work together to find missing persons. It was named after Billy Smolinski Jr., a person from Murphy's district who disappeared.

U.S. House Committee Assignments

• Committee on Foreign Affairs
• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Chris Murphy's Time in the U.S. Senate

Senate Elections

2012 Election

On January 20, 2011, Murphy announced he would run for the Senate seat held by Joe Lieberman, who was retiring. Murphy won the Democratic primary against Susan Bysiewicz. He then defeated Republican candidate Linda McMahon in the general election.

During the campaign, there were questions about a loan Murphy received. Bank officials and experts stated that there was nothing improper about the loans made to him. On November 6, Murphy won the election with 55% of the vote. This was one of the most expensive Senate races in 2012.

2018 Election

In 2018, Murphy ran for his second term. He won the general election against Republican businessman Matt Corey with 59.5% of the vote.

2024 Election

In 2024, Murphy ran for his third term and was chosen as the Democratic nominee. He won the general election on November 5.

What He Does in the Senate

Murphy became a U.S. Senator on January 3, 2013. In the Senate, he works on issues like funding for transportation, protecting the Long Island Sound, supporting small farms, and promoting manufacturing in Connecticut.

In 2016 and 2017, Murphy walked long distances across Connecticut. During these walks, he listened to people and held public meetings.

In early 2020, Murphy met with the Iranian foreign minister. They talked about U.S. citizens held in Iran and ways to reduce tensions. Murphy believes it is important to talk to opponents to prevent crises.

After the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Murphy called for action regarding the events. He also said he would investigate the security issues during the attack.

Murphy with President Joe Biden at the White House in June 2022

When Kabul fell in 2021, Murphy supported President Biden's decision to bring U.S. troops home from Afghanistan. He said the priority was to evacuate American personnel and Afghan partners.

Senate Committee Assignments

• Committee on Appropriations (since 2015)
  • Subcommittee on Homeland Security (chair)
• Committee on Foreign Relations
  • Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism (chair, since 2021)
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Caucus Memberships

• Expand Social Security Caucus

Chris Murphy's Political Views

Health Care

Murphy is a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act. He has opposed efforts to cancel the law, often speaking about how it helps people in Connecticut. He believes it is important to protect health care access for all Americans.

Economic Issues

Murphy has introduced laws like the American Jobs Matter Act. These laws aim to strengthen "Buy American" rules, encouraging the U.S. government to buy American-made products. He also speaks out against companies sending jobs overseas.

Mental Health

In 2015, Murphy introduced the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act with Senator Bill Cassidy. This law aimed to improve the mental health system by increasing treatment options and supporting mental health workers. It also encouraged the enforcement of laws that ensure mental health care is treated equally to physical health care. The bill passed the Senate and was signed into law in 2016.

Gun Control

Murphy speaks in favor of gun control in 2017

Murphy strongly supports gun control. He has pushed for new laws, including a national ban on assault weapons, which he introduced in 2017 and 2023. He has written a book about gun control called The Violence Inside Us.

Foreign Policy

Murphy with Svoboda party leader Oleh Tyahnybok at Euromaidan in Kyiv, Ukraine, December 2013

Murphy has been a vocal critic of U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, which began in 2015. He believes the U.S. should stop supporting this campaign and ensure that human rights are protected.

He is also known for his strong views on Russia. He believes Russia will always be a threat to the United States.

In 2016, Murphy co-authored a bill called the Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act. This law helps the U.S. government monitor and counter propaganda from other countries.

In 2017, Murphy voted for the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, which placed sanctions on Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

In 2017, he criticized the decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying it should be done at the right time and in the right way.

In 2018, when U.S. troops were ordered to withdraw from Syria, Murphy supported the withdrawal but also called for more diplomatic efforts and humanitarian aid.

In 2020, Murphy asked the FBI to investigate claims that Saudi Arabia illegally accessed data from Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post.

Immigration

In 2019, Murphy helped introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. This bill would require immigration agents to get approval from a supervisor before taking action in sensitive places like schools or hospitals.

Chris Murphy's Personal Life

Murphy married Catherine Holahan in 2007. They have two sons. In November 2024, it was confirmed that they were separating. He identifies as "Protestant/unaffiliated" and has said he is not a regular churchgoer.

Electoral History

See also

In Spanish: Chris Murphy para niños