Chris Murphy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chris Murphy
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Murphy in 2023
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| Deputy Secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 Serving with Brian Schatz
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| Leader | Chuck Schumer |
| Preceded by | Brian Schatz |
| United States Senator from Connecticut |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2013 Serving with Richard Blumenthal
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| Preceded by | Joe Lieberman |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 5th district |
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| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Nancy Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Elizabeth Esty |
| Member of the Connecticut State Senate from the 16th district |
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| In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Somma |
| Succeeded by | Sam Caligiuri |
| Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 81st district |
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| In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Angelo Fusco |
| Succeeded by | Bruce Zalaski |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Christopher Scott Murphy
August 3, 1973 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 |  |
| Website | |
Christopher Scott Murphy (born August 3, 1973) is an American politician. He is a U.S. Senator for Connecticut. He has served in this role since 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Before becoming a senator, Murphy was a member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented Connecticut's 5th district from 2007 to 2013. He also served in the Connecticut General Assembly. He was in both the Connecticut House of Representatives and the Connecticut Senate.
In 2012, Murphy ran for the U.S. Senate. The long-time senator, Joe Lieberman, was retiring. Murphy won the election against Linda McMahon. At 39, he was the youngest senator in the 113th United States Congress. He was re-elected in 2018 and 2024.
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Early Life and Education
Chris Murphy was born on August 3, 1973. His birthplace was White Plains, New York. His parents are Catherine and Scott Murphy. His family has Irish and Polish roots. His father was a lawyer. His mother was a retired teacher. He has two younger siblings.
Murphy went to Wethersfield High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Williams College. He then got his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He also studied abroad at Exeter College, Oxford for a year. In 1997, he was first elected to public office. He won a seat on the planning and zoning commission in Southington.
Connecticut State Service
Serving in the State House
In 1998, at 25, Murphy ran for the Connecticut House of Representatives. He challenged a Republican who had served for 14 years. Murphy won the election. He was re-elected for a second term in 2000.
As a state representative, he worked on several issues. He supported bills to help children in poverty. He also proposed free tuition for community college students. He was a supporter of rights for LGBT people.
Serving in the State Senate
After four years in the State House, Murphy ran for the Connecticut State Senate. He was 29 years old. He won the election in 2002. He was re-elected in 2004.
In the State Senate, Murphy focused on environmental issues. He supported cleaner car standards. He also backed a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars. He helped create an office to protect abused children. He also supported stem-cell research. He was one of the first to support a civil union bill. This bill passed in 2005.
U.S. House of Representatives (2007–2013)
Becoming a U.S. Representative
Murphy decided to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. He challenged Nancy Johnson, who had served for many years. Murphy won the election in 2006. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2010.
Key Work in the House
Murphy often supported policies favored by progressive groups. He worked on reforming federal housing programs. These programs help low-income people with disabilities. He also called for closing the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
Health Care Reform Efforts
In 2009, Murphy helped write a health care reform bill. He strongly supported a "public option." This would create a government-sponsored health insurance plan. He believed it would help lower costs.
Ethics and Transparency
Murphy worked to improve ethics in government. He helped create an independent ethics panel for the House. He also sponsored a bill for Supreme Court Justices. This bill would make them follow the same ethical rules as other federal judges.
He also worked on transparency for government contractors. He helped pass a law requiring private companies to share their top executives' salaries. This applied to companies doing most of their business with the government.
Local Issues and Projects
Murphy addressed local concerns in his district. After serious home invasions, he proposed making home invasion a federal crime. He also supported the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail Line. This project aimed to improve train service. The line began operating in 2018.
He also proposed "Billy's Law." This law aimed to improve how police find missing persons. It was named after a person from his district who disappeared.
House Committee Roles
During his time in the House, Murphy served on important committees:
- Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
U.S. Senate (2013–Present)
Senate Elections
2012 Election
Murphy announced his run for the Senate in 2011. He won the Democratic primary. Then, he defeated Republican Linda McMahon in the general election. He won with 55% of the vote. This was a very expensive election.
2018 and 2024 Elections
Murphy ran for a second term in 2018. He won the election with 59.5% of the vote. In 2024, he ran for a third term. He was chosen as the Democratic nominee without opposition. He won the general election on November 5, 2024.
Key Work as Senator
As a senator, Murphy has focused on several areas. These include funding for transportation and infrastructure. He also works to protect Long Island Sound. He supports small farms and manufacturing in Connecticut.
In 2016 and 2017, Murphy walked across Connecticut. He met with people and held town hall meetings. This allowed him to hear directly from his constituents.
In early 2020, Murphy met with Iran's foreign minister. They discussed Americans held in Iran and conflicts in the Middle East. Murphy believes it is important to talk to adversaries to reduce tensions.
After the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol, Murphy called for Donald Trump's removal from office. He also said he would investigate the security issues during the attack.
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When Kabul fell in 2021, Murphy supported President Biden's decision to end the war in Afghanistan. He focused on evacuating American personnel and Afghan partners.
Since the 2024 presidential election, Murphy has been a strong critic of Donald Trump. He has used social media to share his views. This has led to speculation about him being a future presidential candidate.
Senate Committee Roles
Murphy serves on important Senate committees:
- Committee on Appropriations
- Committee on Foreign Relations
- Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Political Views
Economic Policies
Murphy has introduced laws to support American-made goods. These laws aim to ensure the U.S. government buys products made in America. He has also spoken out against companies moving jobs overseas.
He has been critical of neoliberalism since 2022. After the 2024 presidential election, he urged the Democratic Party to change its approach. He believes the party needs to better connect with working-class voters.
Foreign Policy Views
Murphy has been a strong opponent of U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. He believes the U.S. should stop military sales to Saudi Arabia. He is concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
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He is also a vocal critic of Russia. He believes Russia will always be a threat to the U.S. He has emphasized the need for NATO allies to understand this threat.
In 2016, Murphy co-authored a bill called the Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act. This bill aimed to fight foreign propaganda. It authorized funding for the U.S. State Department to counter such threats.
Murphy has also commented on U.S.-Israel relations. In 2016, he signed a letter urging President Obama to veto resolutions against Israel. In 2017, he voted for sanctions against Iran, Russia, and North Korea. In 2020, he opposed Israel's plan to annex parts of the West Bank. In March 2024, he signed a letter urging the U.S. to recognize a Palestinian state. In March 2025, Murphy stated, "The White House has become an arm of the Kremlin."
Gun Control Advocacy
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Murphy strongly supports gun control. He has been a leading voice for new gun laws. He supports a national ban on assault weapons. He introduced such bans in 2017 and 2023. He also wrote a book on gun control.
In 2016, Murphy held a long speech in the Senate. He spoke for nearly 15 hours about the need for gun control. This speech was one of the longest in Senate history.
Murphy worked on the Fix NICS Act of 2017. This law helps ensure criminal records are added to the background-check system. Murphy also led negotiations for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This law helps close a loophole and provides funding for mental health. It was a significant step for gun safety in decades.
Health Care Support
Murphy has been a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act. He has opposed efforts to repeal the law. He often speaks about how the law helps people in Connecticut.
He called the American Health Care Act of 2017 a "dumpster fire." He believed it would cause many Americans to lose health care coverage.
Mental Health Initiatives
In 2015, Murphy introduced the Mental Health Reform Act. This bill aimed to improve the mental health system. It sought to increase treatment options and expand the mental health workforce. The bill passed the Senate unanimously in 2016. It became law in December 2016.
Loneliness and Social Connection
Murphy has spoken out about loneliness in America. He sees it as a public health crisis. He argues that happiness comes from social connection, not just money.
In 2023, Murphy introduced the National Strategy for Social Connection Act. This bill aims to create a White House office for social connection policy. This office would help federal agencies promote social bonds. It also suggests funding research into loneliness.
He has worked with Republican Governor Spencer Cox of Utah. They announced events to discuss how to restore the "common good." These events bring together different thinkers. They explore ways to build community.
Murphy also supports regulating youth access to social media. He wants to improve labor policies for more leisure time. He also supports groups like unions and religious organizations. He believes these groups naturally build community.
In January 2025, Murphy helped introduce the Kids Off Social Media Act. This act would set a minimum age of 13 for social media use. It would also stop companies from sending targeted content to users under 17. Murphy stated that social media companies prioritize profits over kids' well-being.
Immigration Policy
In 2019, Murphy supported the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act. This bill would require approval for immigration agents to act in sensitive places. These places include schools or hospitals.
U.S. Supreme Court Views
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Murphy criticized the justices. He called them "politicians." He said they used the Constitution to push their political views.
Personal Life
Murphy married Catherine Holahan in August 2007. They have two sons. In November 2024, it was confirmed they were separating. Murphy was raised as a Congregationalist. He identifies as "unspecified/other Protestant." By 2023, he had joined churches in Hartford and Washington.
See also
In Spanish: Chris Murphy para niños
