Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) on Tuesday did not deny that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) "caved" on the government shutdown.
A number of Democrats are upset with Schumer, saying he caved by making an agreement with Republicans to fund the government for another three weeks without getting what they wanted for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
"Do you think Senator Chuck Schumer caved?" CNN host Alisyn Camerota asked.
"Senator Schumer took the best course and the responsible one that he could, and I'm more interested in who's hurt than whose blame," Blumenthal said. "I am more skeptical about the majority leader's promise, but we are united in the goals that we have and Senator Schumer has been very admirable and responsible in leading our caucus."
The government shutdown ended on the third day, Monday, after Republicans and Democrats struck a deal to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through Feb. 8. During the three weeks, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) has said Democrats and Republicans will work toward an agreement on DACA and immigration reform.
When Camerota continued to ask Blumenthal how the shutdown impacted Democrats, Blumenthal again said that wasn't his focus.
"Is it fair to say the government shutdown backfired for Democrats?" Carmerota asked.
"Again, who is hurt is more important than who is blamed," Blumenthal responded.
Blumenthal added there was no such thing as a "good shutdown," but said President Donald Trump may have wanted it.