Sen. Chris Murphy Christopher (Chris) Scott MurphyDemocratic senator calls for 'more flexible' medical supply chain to counter pandemics The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Don't expect a government check anytime soon GOP chairman to release interim report on Biden probe 'in about a week' MORE (D-Conn.) is calling for the House to begin an impeachment inquiry into President Trump Donald John TrumpFederal prosecutor speaks out, says Barr 'has brought shame' on Justice Dept. Former Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick MORE in the wake of a whistleblower complaint reportedly linked to the president.

Murphy, in a statement on Tuesday, said he had previously been reluctant to back an impeachment inquiry but "the seriousness of the moment requires all of us to speak out in order to preserve our nation’s commitment to the rule of law.”

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"It is now my belief that the House of Representatives must begin an impeachment inquiry into the president’s corrupt efforts to press a foreign nation into the service of his reelection campaign," he added.

As part of that inquiry, Murphy said, House lawmakers "should take steps" to force the administration's hand over a whistleblower complaint reportedly involving Trump and Ukraine and should investigate the president's actions.

"If, as it appears Mr. Trump has already acknowledged, the president violated his oath of office by using the constitutional powers entrusted to him to try to destroy a political rival, then the president must be impeached," Murphy added.

Murphy's statement comes after he signaled on Tuesday that he could be shifting on impeachment, telling reporters in Hartford, Conn., that he was going to give "some serious thought to my position on this matter in the coming days."

The whistleblower complaint and reports that Trump or his lawyer Rudy Giuliani Rudy GiulianiThe Hill's Campaign Report: GOP set to ask SCOTUS to limit mail-in voting CIA found Putin 'probably directing' campaign against Biden: report Democrats fear Russia interference could spoil bid to retake Senate MORE attempted to persuade Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Biden or his son have fueled calls from Democrats for the House to formally begin an impeachment inquiry against Trump.

Trump appeared to acknowledge on Sunday that he had discussed Joe Biden Joe BidenFormer Pence aide: White House staffers discussed Trump refusing to leave office Progressive group buys domain name of Trump's No. 1 Supreme Court pick Bloomberg rolls out M ad buy to boost Biden in Florida MORE on the call with Zelensky. But he said on Monday that he did not threaten to withhold aid to Ukraine unless they investigated the Biden family.

A group of seven freshman House Democrats penned an op-ed in The Washington Post, published on Monday night, in which they said the allegations against Trump, if true, would be an impeachable offense.

Sen. Brian Schatz Brian Emanuel SchatzDemocratic senator to party: 'A little message discipline wouldn't kill us' CDC causes new storm by pulling coronavirus guidance Overnight Health Care: CDC pulls revised guidance on coronavirus | Government watchdog finds supply shortages are harming US response | As virus pummels US, Europe sees its own spike MORE (D-Hawaii) on Monday night also called for the House to "formalize and accelerate the impeachment process."

“This isn’t just essential for now, but so that no future president of either party believes that it is possible, practicable, or wise to defy the law, Congress’ constitutional role, and the American people.”