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{{short description|American politician and lawyer (born 1944), Senate Minority Whip}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Dick Durbin | image = Dick Durbin 117th Congress portrait (1) (crop).jpeg | caption = Official portrait, 2021 | jr/sr = United States Senator | state = [[Illinois]] | alongside = [[Tammy Duckworth]] | term_start = January 3, 1997 | term_end = | predecessor = [[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]] {{Collapsed infobox section begin|Senate positions|titlestyle=border: 1px dashed lightgrey;}} {{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes | office1 = [[Senate Minority Whip]] | leader1 = [[Chuck Schumer]] | term_start1 = January 3, 2025 | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = [[John Thune]] | successor1 = | leader2 = [[Harry Reid]]<br />Chuck Schumer | term_start2 = January 3, 2015 | term_end2 = January 20, 2021 | predecessor2 = John Cornyn | successor2 = John Thune | leader3 = Harry Reid | term_start3 = January 3, 2005 | term_end3 = January 3, 2007 | predecessor3 = Harry Reid | successor3 = [[Trent Lott]] | office4 = Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]] | term_start4 = January 3, 2025 | term_end4 = | predecessor4 = [[Lindsey Graham]] | successor4 = | office5 = [[Senate Majority Whip]] | leader5 = [[Chuck Schumer]] | term_start5 = January 20, 2021 | term_end5 = January 3, 2025 | predecessor5 = [[John Thune]] | successor5 = [[John Barrasso]] | leader6 = [[Harry Reid]] | term_start6 = January 3, 2007 | term_end6 = January 3, 2015 | predecessor6 = [[Mitch McConnell]] | successor6 = [[John Cornyn]] | office7 = Chair of the [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] | term_start7 = February 3, 2021 | term_end7 = January 3, 2025 | predecessor7 = [[Lindsey Graham]] | successor7 = [[Chuck Grassley]] }} {{Collapsed infobox section end}} | state8 = [[Illinois]] | district8 = {{ushr|IL|20|20th}} | term_start8 = January 3, 1983 | term_end8 = January 3, 1997 | predecessor8 = [[Paul Findley]] | successor8 = [[John Shimkus]] | birth_name = Richard Joseph Durbin | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1944|11|21}} | birth_place = [[East St. Louis, Illinois]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | residence = [[Springfield, Illinois]], U.S. | party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | spouse = {{marriage|Loretta Schaefer|1967}} | children = 3<!-- Do not remove the note. You have to verify the accuracy of 3 children. -->{{efn|group=note|One child is deceased.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/01/dick.durbin.daughter/index.html |title=Sen. Dick Durbin's daughter dies |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=2008-11-01 |accessdate=2022-06-10}}</ref>}} | education = [[Georgetown University]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]], [[Juris Doctor|JD]]) | website = {{URL|durbin.senate.gov|Senate website}} | signature = Dick Durbin Signature.svg | module = {{Listen |pos = center |embed = yes |filename = Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin on the DREAM Act.ogg |title = Dick Durbin's voice |type = speech |description = Dick Durbin supporting the [[DREAM Act]]<br/>Recorded December 18, 2010}} }} '''Richard Joseph Durbin''' (born November 21, 1944) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the [[Seniority in the United States Senate|senior]] [[United States senator]] from the state of [[Illinois]], a seat he has held since 1997. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], Durbin is in his fifth Senate term and has served since 2005 as the [[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Democratic whip]] (the second-highest position in the Democratic leadership in the Senate) and since 2025 as the Senate minority whip. He chaired the [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] from 2021 to 2025,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=DeBonis|first1=Mike|last2=Kane|first2=Paul|title=Senate Democrats clear the way for Durbin to be party's leader on Judiciary Committee|language=en-US|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/senate-democrats-schumer-election/2020/12/09/0aae49f4-3a37-11eb-bc68-96af0daae728_story.html|access-date=2021-01-21|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> and led the [[Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court nomination]] hearings. Durbin was born in [[East St. Louis, Illinois]]. He graduated from the [[Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service|School of Foreign Service]] and the [[Georgetown University Law Center]]. Working in state legal counsel throughout the 1970s, he made an unsuccessful run for [[lieutenant governor of Illinois]] in 1978. He later maintained a private law practice and co-owned a pub in [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]]. Durbin was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives [[1982 United States House of Representatives elections|in 1982]], representing the Springfield-based [[Illinois's 20th congressional district|20th congressional district]]. After serving seven House terms, Durbin was elected to the U.S. Senate in [[1996 United States Senate election in Illinois|1996]] and reelected in [[2002 United States Senate election in Illinois|2002]], [[2008 United States Senate election in Illinois|2008]], [[2014 United States Senate election in Illinois|2014]], and [[2020 United States Senate election in Illinois|2020]]. He has served as the Senate Democratic whip since 2005—under [[Harry Reid]] until 2017, and under [[Chuck Schumer]] since 2017. During that time, he had two stints as [[Senate majority whip]] (from 2007 to 2015 and from 2021 to 2025), and three as minority whip (from 2005 to 2007, from 2015 to 2021, and since 2025). As of 2024, Durbin is the longest-serving Senate party whip in U.S. history. He is the dean of [[United States congressional delegations from Illinois|Illinois's congressional delegation]]. On April 23, 2025, he announced that he would not seek [[2026 United States Senate election in Illinois|reelection in 2026]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hulse |first=Carl |date=2025-04-23 |title=Durbin, No. 2 Senate Democrat, to Retire After 44 Years in Congress |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/us/dick-durbin-retires-senate.html |access-date=2025-04-23 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> {{TOC limit|3}} ==Early life, education and career== Durbin was born in [[East St. Louis, Illinois]], to an [[Irish-American]] father, William Durbin, and a [[Lithuanians|Lithuanian]]-born mother, Anna (''née'' Kutkin; Lithuanian: Ona Kutkaitė).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/senators/durbin.htm |title=durbin |website=Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com |date=November 21, 1944 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202005710/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/senators/durbin.htm |archivedate=February 2, 2008 }}</ref> He graduated from Assumption High School in East St. Louis in 1962. During his high school years he worked at a meatpacking plant. He earned a [[Bachelor of Science|B.S.]] from the [[Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service|School of Foreign Service]] at [[Georgetown University]] in 1966. Durbin interned in Senator [[Paul Douglas (Illinois politician)|Paul Douglas]]'s office during his senior year in college, and worked on Douglas's unsuccessful [[1966 United States Senate election in Illinois|1966]] reelection campaign. Durbin adopted the nickname "Dick", which he did not previously use, after Douglas mistakenly called him by that name.<ref>{{cite podcast|url=https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvZDgzZjUyZTQtMjQ1NS00N2Y0LTk4MmUtYWI3OTAxMjBiOTU0L2E1NDQ1ZGNjLWFlMWYtNDg4ZC05NDFiLWFiODUwMTA2ZDNiNi9mZmQyODNmZS0xMDQzLTQ4MjktYTI3OS1hYjg1MDEwNmQzZDIvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M/episode/aHR0cDovL3BvZGNhc3QuY25uLmNvbS90aGUtYXhlLWZpbGVzLWRhdmlkLWF4ZWxyb2QvZXBpc29kZS9hbGwvWTV6WklOMGFkSFhlSjIvMjQyNTYyMTk5LXRoZS1heGUtZmlsZXMtZXAtMjQtc2VuLWRpY2stZHVyYmluLmh0bWw?sa=X&ved=0CAIQuIEEahcKEwi4tJP4iJjwAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ|title=Ep. 24 - Sen. Dick Durbin|website=The Axe Files with David Axelrod|publisher=CNN|host=Axelrod, David|date=Jan 18, 2016|access-date=Apr 24, 2021}}</ref> Durbin earned his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] from [[Georgetown University Law Center]] in 1969 and was admitted to the Illinois [[bar (law)|bar]] later that year. After graduating from law school, Durbin started a law practice in [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]]. He was legal counsel to [[Lieutenant Governor of Illinois|Lieutenant Governor]] [[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]] from 1969 to 1972, and then legal counsel to the [[Illinois State Senate]] Judiciary Committee from 1972 to 1982. Durbin was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the Illinois State Senate in 1976.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=26847 |title=Senator Dick Durbin - Biography - Project Vote Smart |website=Votesmart.org |date=November 21, 1944 |access-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> From 1976 to 1981 he co-owned the Crow's Mill Pub in Springfield's [[Toronto, Illinois|Toronto neighborhood]], which he later described as a "crash course" in running a business.<ref>{{Cite news | newspaper = State Journal-Register | url = https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2016/09/02/fire-damaged-schoolhouse-turned-tavern/25529758007/ | date = September 2, 2016 | author-first = Jason | author-last = Nevel | access-date = May 26, 2023 | title = Fire-damaged schoolhouse-turned-tavern has loyal following }}</ref> He ran for lieutenant governor in 1978 as the running mate of State Superintendent of Schools [[Michael Bakalis]]. They were defeated by [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] incumbents [[James R. Thompson|Jim Thompson]] and [[Dave O'Neal]]. Durbin then worked as an adjunct professor of medical law at the [[Southern Illinois University School of Medicine]] for five years while maintaining his law practice. ===U.S. House of Representatives=== [[File:Dick Durbin 1983 Edit.jpg|thumb|left|Durbin's official portrait in the [[98th Congress]], 1983]] In 1982, Durbin won the Democratic nomination for the [[Illinois's 20th congressional district|20th congressional district]], which included Macon and most of Springfield. He scored a 1,400-vote victory, defeating 22-year incumbent [[Paul Findley]], a U.S. Navy veteran, whose district lines had been substantially redrawn to remove rural farms and add economically depressed Macon. This replaced 35% of the voters<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1982/10/31/the-1982-elections-the-illinois-20th-district-race/76e5660e-4e40-4615-88b0-f012ad57000a/|title=THE 1982 ELECTIONS: THE ILLINOIS 20TH DISTRICT RACE|last=Bohlen|first=Celestine|date=October 31, 1982|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=July 10, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lib.niu.edu/1983/ii830218.html|title=redistricting and Reaganomics Feb 1983|website=lib.niu.edu|access-date=July 10, 2018}}</ref> and included more Democrats as part of the [[decennial]] [[redistricting]]. Durbin's campaign emphasized unemployment and financial difficulties facing farmers, and told voters that electing him would send "a message to Washington and to President Reagan that our economic policies are not working." Durbin benefited from donations by pro-Israel groups, especially [[AIPAC]],<ref name=":2">The Israel Lobby, p. 157, by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt</ref> that opposed Findley's advocacy on behalf of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]]<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-17/how-obama-out-muscled-aipac|title=How Obama Out-Muscled Aipac|first1=Eli|last1=Lake|first2=Josh|last2=Rogin|website=Bloomberg.com|date=September 17, 2015|access-date=August 31, 2016}}</ref> in the year before the election. Durbin was reelected six times, rarely facing substantial opposition, and winning more than 55% of the vote in each election except 1994.<ref>{{cite news|last=Malcolm|first=Andrew|title=The Midwest|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/05/us/the-midwest.html|access-date=February 1, 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 5, 1982}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Clymer|first=Adam|title=Democrats Shaping Election as Referendum on Economy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/03/us/democrats-shaping-election-as-referendum-on-economy.html|access-date=February 1, 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 3, 1982}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Clymer|first=Adam|title=GOP House Candidates Leading in Fundraising|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/30/us/gop-house-candidates-leading-in-fund-raising.html|access-date=February 1, 2012|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 30, 1982}}</ref> ==U.S. Senate== [[File:Richard Durbin official photo.jpg|thumb|Durbin during the [[108th United States Congress|108th Congress]]]] [[File:Dick Durbin DNC 2008.jpg|thumb|right|Durbin speaks during the final night of the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver]], [[Colorado]], introducing his party's nominee, fellow Illinoisan [[Barack Obama]].]] In [[1996 United States Senate election in Illinois|1996]], Durbin defeated [[Pat Quinn (politician)|Pat Quinn]] to become the Democratic nominee to replace the retiring Senator [[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]], a longtime friend. He faced Republican [[Illinois House of Representatives|State Representative]] [[Al Salvi]] in the general election. Although the election had been expected to be competitive, Durbin benefited from [[Bill Clinton]]'s 18-point win in Illinois that year and defeated Salvi by 15 points. He was reelected in [[2002 United States Senate election in Illinois|2002]], [[2008 United States Senate election in Illinois|2008]], [[2014 United States Senate election in Illinois|2014]] and [[2020 United States Senate election in Illinois|2020]], each time by at least 10 points. ===[[119th United States Congress]] Committee assignments=== Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Senate: Committee Assignments of the 119th Congress |url=https://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm#BarrassoWY |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=www.senate.gov}}</ref> * [[United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry|Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry]] * [[United States Senate Committee on Appropriations|Committee on Appropriations]] * [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Committee on the Judiciary]] (Ranking Member) ===Caucus memberships=== * Bi-Cameral High-Speed & Intercity Passenger Rail Caucus * Caucus on International Narcotics Control (co-chair) * [[United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus|International Conservation Caucus]] *[[Senate Diabetes Caucus]] *[[Senate Hunger Caucus]] (co-chair) *[[Senate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education Caucus]] (co-chair) * [[Senate Taiwan Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Senate Taiwan Caucus 118th Congress (2023-2024)|author=|url=https://fapa.org/senate-taiwan-caucus/|format=|publisher=Formosan Association for Public Affairs|date=February 5, 2004|accessdate=25 March 2025}}</ref> * Sportsmen's Caucus *[[Congressional COPD Caucus]] (co-chair) * [[Senate Ukraine Caucus]] (co-chair)<ref>{{cite news|title=Portman and Durbin Launch Senate Ukraine Caucus|url=http://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/2/portman-and-durbin-launch-senate-ukraine-caucus|publisher=Rob Portman United States Senator for Ohio|access-date=February 11, 2015|date=February 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211073945/http://www.portman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2015/2/portman-and-durbin-launch-senate-ukraine-caucus|archive-date=February 11, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> *[[Afterschool Caucuses]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|publisher=Afterschool Alliance|access-date=April 17, 2018}}</ref> *[[Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|publisher=Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus|access-date=June 8, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142643/http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|url-status=dead}}</ref> * [[Congressional Coalition on Adoption]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute|url=https://www.ccainstitute.org|language=en}}</ref> === Leadership === [[File:Obama,Biden,Richard Durbin and Steny,Hoyer.jpg|thumb|right|Durbin eating lunch with President [[Barack Obama]], Vice President [[Joe Biden]], and House Majority Leader [[Steny Hoyer]]]] In November 1998, Senate Minority Leader [[Tom Daschle]] appointed Durbin Assistant Democratic Whip. After the [[2004 United States Senate election|2004 election]], Durbin became the [[United States Senate Democratic Whip|Democratic Whip]] in the [[109th United States Congress|109th Congress]]. He became the first senator from Illinois to serve as a Senate Whip since [[Everett Dirksen]] in the late 1950s, and the fifth to serve in Senate leadership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenation.com/issue/february-14-2005|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912044945/http://www.thenation.com/issue/february-14-2005|url-status=dead|title=February 14, 2005 - The Nation|date=September 12, 2012|archive-date=September 12, 2012|website=archive.is}}</ref> Durbin served as assistant minority leader from 2005 to 2007, when the Democrats became the majority party in the Senate. He then assumed the role of assistant majority leader, or majority whip. In addition to his caucus duties, Durbin chairs the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=26847 |title=Dick Durbin's Biography - The Voter's Self Defense System |publisher=Vote Smart |date=November 21, 1944 |access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref> In 2000, Democratic presidential nominee [[Al Gore]] reportedly considered asking Durbin to be his [[running mate]] for [[Vice President of the United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-08-04/news/0008040244_1_vice-president-al-gore-democratic-sources-mate|title=Durbin Off The VP List; Indiana's Bayh Still On|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=August 4, 2000|access-date=September 16, 2020}}</ref> Gore ultimately chose [[Connecticut]] Senator [[Joe Lieberman]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0008/08/ip.00.html |title=CNN Transcript - Inside Politics: Joseph Lieberman Accepts Al Gore's Offer to Join the Democratic Ticket - August 8, 2000 |website=Transcripts.cnn.com |date=August 8, 2000 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306070344/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0008/08/ip.00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> When Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] faced a difficult reelection fight in 2010, some pundits predicted a possibly heated fight to succeed him between Durbin and Senator [[Chuck Schumer]], who is well known for his fund-raising prowess.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/us/politics/29schumer.html |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=February 5, 2011 |title=As Reid Falters, Schumer Subtly Stands in the Wings |date=October 29, 2010 |last1=Hernandez |first1=Raymond |last2=Steinhauer |first2=Jennifer }}</ref> Reid's reelection rendered such speculation moot. Upon Reid's retirement announcement in 2015, Durbin, Reid, and Schumer were aligned in elevating Schumer to party leader and Durbin to retain the Whip position.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/harry-reid-endorses-chuck-schumer-116452|title=Schumer in line to succeed Reid|first1=Manu|last1=Raju|first2=Burgess|last2=Everett|date=March 28, 2015|website=[[Politico]]}}</ref> In 2021, Durbin became Senate Majority Whip again for the 117th Congress, as well as becoming chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. This is the first time that the whip of either party has served as chair of this committee. In 2025, Durbin broke from party lines and supported the Republican budget proposal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-14 |title=Senate passes GOP funding bill to avert a government shutdown |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-vote-republican-funding-bill-government-shutdown-rcna196412 |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> ==Political positions== {{advert|section|date=October 2020}} [[File:Durbin, Menendez and Interim President Guaidó.jpg|thumb|Durbin and [[Bob Menendez]] with [[Venezuela]]'s interim President [[Juan Guaidó]] in February 2020]] In 2006, the ''[[National Journal]]'' rated Durbin as the most liberal U.S. senator.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Mar 3, 2007 |title=Dick Durban, most liberal U.S. senator |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/chinews-mtblog-2007-03-dick_durbin_most_liberal_us_se-story.html |website=The Chicago Tribune}}</ref> According to the 2019 [[GovTrack|Govtrack]] report card, he had the tenth-most left-leaning voting record in the Senate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jan 18, 2020 |title=2019 Report Cards |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/report-cards/2019/senate/ideology |website=govtrack}}</ref> The [[American Conservative Union]] gave him a 5% lifetime conservative rating in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ratings.conservative.org/people?search=dick%20durbin|title=Lawmakers}}</ref> === Social issues === ==== Abortion ==== [[File:Dick Durbin 117th Congress portrait (1) (cropped).jpeg|thumb|Durbin during the [[117th United States Congress|117th Congress]]]] During his first term in Congress, Durbin supported upholding existing restrictions on [[Abortion in the United States|abortion]] and imposing new limitations, including a constitutional amendment that would have nullified ''[[Roe v. Wade]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Durbin Abortion Papers |url=http://www.nrlc.org/Judicial/Durbin/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060913222115/http://www.nrlc.org/Judicial/Durbin/index.html |archive-date=September 13, 2006 |access-date=August 4, 2006}}</ref> Beginning in his second Senate term, he reversed his position and has since voted to maintain access to abortion, including support for [[Medicaid]] funding of it, and opposed any limitation he considers a practical or potential encroachment upon ''Roe''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Richard Durbin on Abortion |url=http://www.massscorecard.org/Social/Richard_Durbin_Abortion.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929042736/http://www.massscorecard.org/Social/Richard_Durbin_Abortion.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |website=Massscorecard.org}}</ref> Durbin has maintained that this reversal came about due to personal reflection and his growing awareness of potentially harmful implications of his previous policy with respect to women facing dangerous pregnancies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Excerpt from NBC News' Meet the Press |url=http://www.nrlc.org/Judicial/Durbin/DurbinMeetPress.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060914032545/http://www.nrlc.org/Judicial/Durbin/DurbinMeetPress.html |archive-date=September 14, 2006 |access-date=August 4, 2006}}</ref> He said, "I still oppose abortion and would try my best to convince any woman in my family to carry the baby to term. But I believe that ultimately the decision must be made by the woman, her doctor, her family, and her conscience."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Parsons |first=Christi |date=December 2, 2007 |title=Dick Durbin's Challenge |pages=15–19, 26–27 |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> In September 2020, Durbin voted to confirm judges [[Stephen McGlynn]] and [[David W. Dugan]], who have criticized Supreme Court rulings such as ''Roe'', to lifetime appointments to the federal judiciary in Illinois.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 18, 2020 |title=Illinois senators split on judge votes, exposing division |url=https://www.rollcall.com/2020/09/18/illinois-senators-split-on-judge-votes-exposing-division/ |website=Roll Call}}</ref> Durbin opposed the 2022 [[Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization|overturning of ''Roe v. Wade'']], saying, "millions of Americans are waking up in a country where they have fewer rights than their parents and grandparents."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Durbin |first1=Dick |title="Today's decision eliminates a federally protected constitutional right that has been the law for nearly half a century. As a result, millions of Americans are waking up in a country where they have fewer rights than their parents and grandparents." |url=https://twitter.com/SenatorDurbin/status/1540340952576974850 |access-date=24 June 2022 |website=[[Twitter]] |language=en}}</ref> ==== Criminal justice reform ==== In July 2017, Durbin, [[Cory Booker]], [[Elizabeth Warren]], and [[Kamala Harris]] introduced the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act, legislation implementing a ban on the shackling of pregnant women and mandating the [[Federal Bureau of Prisons]] to form superior visitation policies for parents along with providing parenting classes and health products such as [[tampon]]s and [[Menstrual pad|pads]]. The bill also restricted prison employees from entering restrooms of the opposite sex except in pressing circumstances.<ref>{{cite news |author=Wheeler, Lydia |date=July 18, 2017 |title=Kamala Harris slams Sessions on criminal justice |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/342506-kamala-harris-slams-sessions-on-criminal-justice/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721002059/https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/342506-kamala-harris-slams-sessions-on-criminal-justice |archive-date=July 21, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2018, Durbin voted for the [[First Step Act]], legislation aimed at reducing [[recidivism]] rates among federal prisoners by expanding job training and other programs in addition to expanding early-release programs and modifying sentencing laws such as mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent drug offenders, "to more equitably punish drug offenders."<ref>{{cite news |last=Fandos |first=Nicholas |date=December 18, 2018 |title=Senate Passes Bipartisan Criminal Justice Bill |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/us/politics/senate-criminal-justice-bill.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219032910/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/us/politics/senate-criminal-justice-bill.html |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> ==== Gun control ==== Durbin received an "F" grade from the [[National Rifle Association of America]] for his consistent support for [[gun control]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Voter's Self Defense System |url=https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1034/rating/82 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |website=Vote Smart |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107202927/https://votesmart.org/interest-group/1034/rating/82 |archive-date=Jan 7, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Durbin supports a national assault weapon ban.<ref>{{cite web |title=Senate Democrats face new pressure to pass assault weapons ban |date=July 8, 2022 |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3549487-senate-democrats-face-new-pressure-to-pass-assault-weapons-ban/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |ref=34 |author=Alexander Bolton |work=The Hill |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708103702/https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/3549487-senate-democrats-face-new-pressure-to-pass-assault-weapons-ban/ |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Durbin sent [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]] [[Jeff Sessions]] a letter in May 2017 asking for support in expanding the [[Chicago Police Department]]'s violence prevention programs by expanding access to the Strategic Decision Support Centers and the [[National Integrated Ballistic Information Network]]. He also asked the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]] to support the Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act, which would stop illegal state-to-state gun trafficking.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gossett |first1=Stephen |title=Sen. Durbin Asks DOJ For Help Curbing Chicago Gun Violence Ahead Of Summer |url=http://chicagoist.com/2017/05/22/durbin_letter_to_doj_gun_violence.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171104153008/http://chicagoist.com/2017/05/22/durbin_letter_to_doj_gun_violence.php |archive-date=November 4, 2017 |access-date=October 4, 2017 |website=Chicagoist}}</ref> In response to [[mass shootings]], such as the [[Orlando nightclub shooting]] and [[2017 Las Vegas shooting|Las Vegas shooting]], Durbin has repeatedly called for expanded gun control laws, saying that Congress would be "complicit" in the shooting deaths of people if it did not act.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Savransky |first1=Rebecca |date=June 12, 2016 |title=Durbin calls for Congress to pass gun control laws |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/283215-durbin-calls-for-congress-to-pass-gun-control-laws/ |access-date=October 4, 2017 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=October 3, 2017 |title=Morning Spin: Illinois Democrats talk gun control after Las Vegas shooting; Trump's office talks Chicago |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-las-vegas-politics-20171003-story.html |access-date=October 4, 2017 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> After the October 2017 [[2017 Las Vegas shooting|Las Vegas shooting]], Durbin was one of 24 senators to sign a letter to [[National Institutes of Health]] Director [[Francis Collins]] espousing the view that it was critical that the NIH "dedicate a portion of its resources to the public health consequences of gun violence" at a time when 93 Americans die per day from gun-related fatalities and noted that the [[Dickey Amendment]] did not prohibit objective, scientific inquiries into shooting death prevention.<ref>{{cite news |last=Weizel |first=Nathaniel |date=October 11, 2017 |title=Senate Dems urge NIH to renew gun research grants |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/public-global-health/354940-senate-democrats-urge-nih-to-renew-gun-research-grants/}}</ref> In January 2019, Durbin was one of 40 senators to introduce the Background Check Expansion Act, a bill that would require [[background check]]s for either the sale or transfer of all firearms including all unlicensed sellers. Exceptions to the bill's background check requirement included transfers between members of law enforcement, loaning firearms for either hunting or sporting events temporarily, providing firearms as gifts to members of one's immediate family, firearms transferred as part of an inheritance, or giving a firearm to another person temporarily for immediate self-defense.<ref>{{cite news |date=January 9, 2019 |title=U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Background Check Expansion Act To Reduce Gun Violence |publisher=urbanmilwaukee.com |url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-helps-introduce-background-check-expansion-act-to-reduce-gun-violence/}}</ref> ==== HIV/AIDS ==== In March 2007, Durbin introduced the African Health Capacity Investment Act of 2007 to the Senate. The bill was designed so that over three years, the U.S. would supply over $600 million to help create safer medical facilities and working conditions, and to recruit and train doctors from all over North America. In December 2007, Durbin and two other senators co-sponsored Senator [[John Kerry]]'s Nondiscrimination in Travel and Immigration Act. In March 2007, he joined 32 other senators to co-sponsor the [[Early Treatment for HIV Act]]. ==== Immigration ==== {{see also|Racial views of Donald Trump#"Shithole countries"}} Durbin is the chief proponent of the [[DREAM Act|Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act]]. The bill would provide certain students who entered or were brought to the nation illegally with the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency if they arrived in the U.S. as children; graduated from a U.S. [[Secondary school|high school]]; have been in the country continuously for at least five years before the bill's enactment; submit biometric data; pass a criminal background check; and complete two years toward a four-year degree from an accredited university or complete at least two years in the military within a five-year period. In 2013, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center presented Durbin with the inaugural Nancy Pelosi Award for Immigration & Civil Rights Policy for his leadership on this issue.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 31, 2013 |title=23rd Phillip Burton Immigration & Civil Rights Awards | Immigrant Legal Resource Center |url=http://www.ilrc.org/phillip-burton-awards/23rd-phillip-burton-awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625031231/http://ilrc.org/phillip-burton-awards/23rd-phillip-burton-awards |archive-date=June 25, 2013 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |publisher=ILRC}}</ref> On January 28, 2013, Durbin was a member of a bipartisan group of eight senators, the [[Gang of Eight (immigration)|Gang of Eight]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Immigration and the DREAM Act {{!}} U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois |url=https://www.durbin.senate.gov/issues/immigration-and-the-dream-act |access-date=2019-03-21 |website=durbin.senate.gov |language=en}}</ref> which announced principles for comprehensive [[immigration reform]] (CIR).<ref>{{cite web |date=January 31, 2013 |title=Senators Reach a Bipartisan Agreement for Comprehensive Immigration Reform |url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/senators-reach-bipartisan-agreement-comprehensive-immigration-reform |access-date=February 1, 2013 |work=The National Law Review |publisher=Fowler White Boggs P.A.}}</ref> In April 2018, Durbin was one of five senators to send acting director of [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement|Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] [[Thomas Homan]] a letter about standards the agency used to determine how to detain a pregnant woman, requesting that pregnant women not be held in custody except in extraordinary circumstances after reports "that ICE has failed to provide critical medical care to pregnant women in immigration detention—resulting in miscarriages and other negative health outcomes".<ref>{{cite news |author=Bowden, John |date=April 5, 2018 |title=Democrats question ICE standards for detaining pregnant women |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/381895-democrats-question-ice-standards-for-detaining-pregnant-women/}}</ref> In July 2018, Durbin said Homeland Security Secretary [[Kirstjen Nielsen]] should resign over the [[Trump administration family separation policy]]. He argued it "is and was a cruel policy inconsistent with the bedrock values of the nation," adding someone "in this administration has to accept responsibility." Tyler Houlton, a [[United States Department of Homeland Security|DHS]] spokesman, replied on Twitter that "obstructionists in Congress should get to work".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weixel |first1=Nathaniel |date=July 31, 2018 |title=Top Senate Dem calls on DHS secretary to resign over family separations |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/399669-durbin-calls-on-dhs-secretary-nielsen-to-resign-over-family-separations/ |access-date=August 1, 2018 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> In July 2019, after reports that the Trump administration intended to end protections of spouses, parents and children of active-duty service members from deportation, Durbin was one of 22 senators to sign a letter led by [[Tammy Duckworth]] arguing that the program allowed service members the ability "to fight for the United States overseas and not worry that their spouse, children, or parents will be deported while they are away" and that the program's termination would cause personal hardship for service members in combat.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Domingo |first=Ida |date=2019-07-11 |title=Senate Democrats to Trump: don't deport military families |website=WSET |url=https://wset.com/news/nation-world/senate-democrats-to-trump-dont-deport-military-families |access-date=2020-02-11}}</ref> In October 2019, Durbin blocked the passage of S.386, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act,<ref>{{cite web |title=Will the Congress Yield – for Immigration Reform? |url=https://www.natlawreview.com/article/will-congress-yield-immigration-reform |access-date=2019-10-31 |website=The National Law Review |language=en}}</ref> which aims to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for all employment-based immigrants and to increase the per-country limitation for all family-sponsored immigrants from 7% to 15%.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Mike |date=2019-07-09 |title=S.386 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/386 |access-date=2019-10-31 |website=congress.gov}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Mike |date=July 9, 2019 |title=S.386 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/386 |website=www.congress.gov}}</ref> [[File:DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Vice President Harris Hold a Press Conference.jpg|thumb|Durbin speaks at a press conference in El Paso, Texas, with [[United States Secretary of Homeland Security|U.S. Homeland Security Secretary]] [[Alejandro Mayorkas]], along with [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] [[Kamala Harris]] and [[Veronica Escobar|Representative Veronica Escobar]].]] Durbin argued that bill S.386 would prioritize people of Indian and Chinese origin, who have been in the [[green card]] backlog for years, at the expense of future immigrants from other countries. After blocking S.386, he proposed his own bill, which would almost triple the number of employment-based green cards and eliminate country caps.<ref>{{cite web |last=Durbin |first=Richard J. |date=October 16, 2019 |title=S.2603 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Resolving Extended Limbo for Immigrant Employees and Families Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/2603 |website=www.congress.gov}}</ref> Durbin agreed that his bill would not pass in the current administration and promised for a bipartisan agreement to pass S.386.<ref>{{cite web |title=Durbin Announces Bipartisan Agreement to Help Immigrant Workers Stuck in the Green Card Backlog - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15V7ozu5T_4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/15V7ozu5T_4 |archive-date=2021-11-14 |website=www.youtube.com| date=December 18, 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> ==== Tobacco regulation ==== In 1987, Durbin introduced major [[tobacco]] regulation legislation in the House. The bill banned cigarette smoking on airline flights of two hours or less. Representative [[Bill Young (Florida politician)|C. W. Bill Young]] joined him in saying that the rights of smokers to smoke ends where their smoking affects other people's health and safety, such as on airplanes. The bill passed as part of the 1988 transportation spending bill. In 1989, Congress banned cigarette smoking on all domestic airline flights.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 15, 1987 |title=House Passes Ban on Smoking on Flights of 2 Hours or Less |work=[[The New York Times]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/07/15/us/house-passes-ban-on-smoking-on-flights-of-2-hours-or-less.html}}</ref> In March 1994, Durbin proposed an amendment to the [[Improving America's Schools Act of 1994|Improving America's Schools Act]] that required schools receiving federal drug prevention money to teach elementary and secondary students about the dangers of tobacco, drugs, and [[Alcoholic beverage|alcohol]]. The amendment also required schools to warn students about tobacco and teach them how to resist [[peer pressure]] to smoke.<ref>{{cite news |last=Seelye |first=Katharine |date=March 23, 1994 |title=Congress Considers Smoking Ban in Schools |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/23/us/congress-considers-smoking-ban-in-schools.html}}</ref> In February 2008, Durbin called on Congress to support a measure that would allow the [[Food and Drug Administration]] to oversee the tobacco industry. The measure would require companies to disclose the contents of tobacco products, restrict advertising and promotions, and mandate the removal of harmful ingredients from tobacco products. It would also prohibit tobacco companies from using terms like "low risk", "light", and "mild" on the packaging.{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}} Durbin attributes his stance against tobacco smoking to his father, who smoked two packs of cigarettes a day and died of lung cancer. ==== Freedom of expression ==== In 2007, speaking as Senate Majority Whip, Durbin said on record that "It's time to reinstitute the [[Fairness Doctrine]]."<ref>{{cite web |title=News Archive |url=http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/gop-preps-for-talk-radio-confrontation-2007-06-27.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629120833/http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/gop-preps-for-talk-radio-confrontation-2007-06-27.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2007 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> In 2010, Durbin cosponsored and passed from committee the [[Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act]], a bill to combat media piracy by blacklisting websites. Many opposed to the bill argue that it violates [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] rights and promotes censorship.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leahy |first=Patrick |title=Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (2010; 111th Congress S. 3804) |url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-3804 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |website=GovTrack.us}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=November 18, 2010 |title=The 19 Senators Who Voted To Censor The Internet |url=http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20101118/10291211924/the-19-senators-who-voted-to-censor-the-internet.shtml |access-date=August 1, 2016 |publisher=Techdirt}}</ref> The announcement of the bill was followed by a wave of protest from digital rights activists, including the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]], calling it censorship and stating that action could be taken against all users of sites on which only some users are uploading infringing material.<ref>{{cite web |date=September 21, 2010 |title=Censorship of the Internet Takes Center Stage in "Online Infringement" Bill |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/09/censorship-internet-takes-center-stage-online |access-date=October 16, 2010 |work=eff.org}}</ref> Durbin sponsored the [[PROTECT IP Act]].<ref>{{cite web |date=January 23, 2012 |title=Cosponsors: S.968 — 112th Congress (2011-2012) |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/968/cosponsors?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22pipa%22%5D%7D&r=1 |access-date=June 27, 2017 |website=Congress.gov}}</ref> ==== Attempts to remove PAC radio advertisements ==== In July 2014, Americas PAC, a [[Political Action Committee]] designed to elect conservative Republicans, released a radio advertisement attacking Durbin's staff salaries.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 11, 2014 |title=New Radio Ad Slams Durbin on Equal Pay |newspaper=Capitol Fax |url=http://capitolfax.com/2014/07/11/new-radio-ad-slams-durbin-on-equal-pay}}</ref> This was based on a ''[[The Washington Times|Washington Times]]'' article that stated Durbin's female staff members made $11,000 less annually than his male staffers.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 8, 2014 |title=Dick Durbin Pays Female Staffers $11K Less Than Men, on Average |newspaper=The Washington Times |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/8/sen-dick-durbin-pays-female-staffers-11k-less-men-/}}</ref> In response, lawyers representing Durbin submitted a letter claiming the information in the ad was false and that the radio stations would be liable for airing the ad, with the possibility of losing their FCC license.<ref>{{cite web |title=America's PAC's Advertisement Regarding Senator Dick Durbin |url=http://www.americaspac527.com/PDF/Americas_PAC_False_Advertising_%282%29.pdf |access-date=August 1, 2016 |website=Americaspc527.com}}</ref> The radio station stated the sources provided to back up the information provided by Americas PAC were checked and verified and that they would keep the ad on air.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gough |first=Bob |date=July 18, 2014 |title=Intimidation from Durbin? |newspaper=Quincy Times |url=http://quincyjournal.com/above-the-fold/2014/07/18/intimidation-from-durbin-surely-not/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810193627/http://quincyjournal.com/above-the-fold/2014/07/18/intimidation-from-durbin-surely-not/ |archive-date=August 10, 2014}}</ref> === Economic issues === ==== Child care ==== In 2019, Durbin and 34 other senators introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act. The bill was expected to create 770,000 new [[child care]] jobs and ensure families under 75% of the state median income would not pay for child care, with higher-earning families having to pay "their fair share for care on a sliding scale, regardless of the number of children they have." The legislation also supported universal access to high-quality preschool programs for all three- and four-year-olds. Additionally, it would have changed child care compensation and training to aid both teachers and caregivers.<ref>{{cite news |date=March 1, 2019 |title=U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Legislation to Ensure Child Care for All |publisher=urbanmilwaukee.com |url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-helps-introduce-legislation-to-ensure-child-care-for-all/}}</ref> The bill was referred to the [[United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions|Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions]], where it did not receive a hearing or vote.<ref>{{cite web |last=Murray |first=Patty |date=February 26, 2019 |title=S.568 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Child Care for Working Families Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/568 |website=www.congress.gov}}</ref> ====2008 financial crisis==== [[File:Dick Durbin and Raj Date.jpg|thumb|right| Durbin meeting with [[Raj Date]], then acting director of the [[Consumer Financial Protection Bureau]], to discuss helping consumers compare bank fees]]On September 18, 2008, Durbin attended a closed meeting with congressional leaders, then-Treasury Secretary [[Henry Paulson]] and Federal Reserve Chairman [[Ben Bernanke]], and was urged to craft legislation to help financially troubled banks. That same day (trade effective the next day), Durbin sold mutual fund shares worth $42,696 and reinvested it all with [[Warren Buffett]].<ref>"Durbin Invests With Buffett After Funds Sale Amid Market Plunge" June 13, 2008, {{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aQyYKbwMItyc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920014104/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087 |archive-date=September 20, 2008 |access-date=September 14, 2008 |website=[[Bloomberg News]]}}. Retrieved September 14, 2008.</ref> On February 26, 2009, Durbin introduced the Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2009, calling for a maximum annual interest rate cap of 36%, including all interest and fees.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 26, 2009 |title=S. 500: Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2009 |publisher=Govtrack.us |url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-500 |access-date=March 26, 2009}}</ref> The bill was intended to put an end to predatory lending activities. In an April 27, 2009, interview with [[WCKG|WJJG]] talk radio host [[Ray Hanania]], Durbin said banks were responsible for the [[2008 financial crisis]]. He added that many of the banks responsible for the crisis "own the place", referring to the power the [[banking lobby]] wields on Capitol Hill.<ref>{{cite news |last=Grim |first=Ryan |date=April 29, 2009 |title=Dick Durbin: Banks "Frankly Own The Place" |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/dick-durbin-banks-frankly_n_193010.html |access-date=June 6, 2009 |work=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref> ==== Trade ==== In January 2005, Durbin changed his longstanding position on sugar [[tariff]]s and [[price support]]s. After several years of voting to keep sugar [[Protectionism|quotas]] and price supports, he now favors abolishing the program. "The sugar program depended on congressmen like me from states that grew corn", Durbin said, referring to the fact that, though they were formerly a single entity, the sugar market and the [[corn syrup]] market are now largely separate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Congressman Mark Steven Kirk - 10th District of Illinois |url=http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/il10_kirk/sugarbloomberg.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060430233340/http://www.house.gov/apps/list/hearing/il10_kirk/sugarbloomberg.html |archive-date=April 30, 2006 |access-date=April 25, 2006}}</ref> In May 2006, Durbin campaigned to maintain a $0.54 per gallon tariff on imported [[ethanol]]. He justified the tariff by joining [[Barack Obama]] in stating that "ethanol imports are neither necessary nor a practical response to current gasoline prices", arguing instead that domestic ethanol production is sufficient and expanding.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tom Harkin: HARKIN URGES BUSH TO STOP UNDERCUTTING U.S. ETHANOL PRODUCTION |url=http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id%3D255348 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060601200729/http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=255348 |archive-date=June 1, 2006 |access-date=January 21, 2007}}</ref> The [[American Coalition for Ethanol]] gave him a rating of 100%.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} [[American Airlines]] praised Durbin for arguing for the need to lower rising oil prices.<ref>{{cite web |title=American Airlines Praises Congressional Effort to Enhance Accountability in the Oil Markets |url=http://hub.aa.com/en/nr/pressrelease/american-airlines-praises-congressional-effort-to-enhance-accountability-in-the-oil-markets |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030193936/http://hub.aa.com/en/nr/pressrelease/american-airlines-praises-congressional-effort-to-enhance-accountability-in-the-oil-markets |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |access-date=October 30, 2014 |website=American Airlines}}</ref> ==== Environment ==== Among Durbin's legislative causes are environmental protection, particularly the protection of the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]]. The [[League of Conservation Voters]] gives him a rating of 89%. [[Sierra Club]] gives him a 90% rating.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}} ==== Rod Blagojevich ==== Shortly after Governor [[Rod Blagojevich]]'s arrest on federal corruption charges on December 9, 2008, Durbin called for the Illinois legislature to quickly pass legislation for a special election to fill then-President-elect [[Barack Obama]]'s vacant Senate seat.<ref>{{cite web |title=Some Illinois lawmakers call for Blagojevich to resign -- chicagotribune.com |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-blagojevich-reaxdec10,0,2709282.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081214071835/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-blagojevich-reaxdec10%2C0%2C2709282.story |archive-date=December 14, 2008 |access-date=December 14, 2008 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> He stated that no [[United States Senate]] appointment of Blagojevich's could produce a credible replacement.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 10, 2008 |title=Durbin urges special election to succeed Obama |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/legislative/senate/2008-12-09-durbin-blagojevich_N.htm |access-date=August 1, 2016 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> Durbin and Senate Majority Leader [[Harry Reid]] led all 50 members of the [[Senate Democratic Caucus]] in writing Blagojevich to urge him to resign and not name a successor to Obama following Blagojevich's arrest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Barack Obama, U.S. Senators, state officials urge Rod Blagojevich to resign |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blago-main_thursdec11,0,2299811.story?page%3D1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215031331/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blago-main_thursdec11%2C0%2C2299811.story?page=1 |archive-date=February 15, 2011 |access-date=December 14, 2008 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> ==== Transportation ==== Durbin has been a major proponent of expanded [[Amtrak]] funding and support.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Louis |first=Jayla |title=Durbin wants Amtrak service between Quincy and Chicago restored |url=https://www.wgem.com/2022/11/21/durbin-wants-amtrak-service-between-quincy-chicago-restored/ |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=[[NBC Quincy]] |date=November 21, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> ==== Election finance ==== Durbin reintroduced the [[Fair Elections Now Act]] during the [[112th United States Congress|112th Congress]]. The bill would provide public funds to candidates who do not take political donations larger than $100 from any donor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fair Elections Now |url=http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4773857 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427063444/http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=4773857 |archive-date=April 27, 2014 |access-date=April 27, 2014 |publisher=Common Cause}}</ref> === Foreign and military policy === ==== China ==== In April 2017, Durbin was one of eight Democratic senators to sign a letter to President Trump noting government-subsidized Chinese steel had been placed into the American market in recent years below cost and had hurt the domestic steel industry and the iron ore industry that fed it, calling on Trump to raise the steel issue with [[President of the People's Republic of China]] [[Xi Jinping]] in his meeting with him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.twincities.com/2017/04/06/klobuchar-franken-among-senators-asking-trump-to-press-china-on-steel/|title=Klobuchar, Franken among senators asking Trump to press China on steel|date=April 6, 2017|first=John|last=Myers|website=twincities.com}}</ref> ==== Darfur ==== On March 2, 2005, then-Senator [[Jon Corzine]] presented the [[Darfur Peace and Accountability Act]] (S. 495) to the Senate. Durbin was one of 40 senators to co-sponsor the bill. The bill asked all people involved in or deemed in some way responsible for the [[Darfur genocide|genocide in Darfur]] to be denied visas and entrance to the U.S. In 2006, Durbin co-sponsored the Durbin-Leahy Amendment to the Supplemental Appropriations bill for emergency funding to instill peace in [[Darfur]]. In 2006, he also co-sponsored the Lieberman Resolution and the Clinton Amendment. On June 7, 2007, Durbin introduced the Sudan Disclosure Enforcement Act, which was aimed "at enhancing the U.S. Government's ability to impose penalties on violators of U.S. sanctions against Sudan." The bill called for the [[United Nations Security Council|U.N. Security Council]] to vote on sanctions against the Sudanese Government for the genocide in Darfur. Durbin has voted for all Darfur-related legislation. In addition to the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, he also supported the Civilian Protection No-Fly Zone Act, the Hybrid Force Resolution, and the Sudan Divestment Authorization Act. ==== Myanmar ==== In October 2017, Durbin condemned the [[2017–present Rohingya genocide in Myanmar|genocide]] of the [[Rohingya people|Rohingya Muslim]] minority in [[Myanmar]] and called for a stronger response to it.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sen. Todd Young urges action to end Muslim genocide in Myanmar |url=https://eu.indystar.com/story/news/2017/10/20/sen-todd-young-urges-action-end-muslim-genocide-myanmar/784590001/ |work=IndyStar |date=October 22, 2017|access-date=March 5, 2019}}</ref> ==== Guantanamo Bay ==== In 2005, Durbin compared the U.S. treatment of prisoners at [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base]] to the atrocities committed by "[[Nazi Germany|Nazis]], Soviets in their [[gulag]]s, or some mad regime—[[Pol Pot]] or others—that had no concern for human beings." Demands that he apologize were initially rebuffed,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2005/06/200849163247687494.html|title=US senator stands by Nazi remark|website=aljazeera.com|access-date=July 10, 2018}}</ref> but Durbin later apologized to the military for his remarks, which he said were "a very poor choice of words."<ref name=":1" /> ===== Guantanamo interrogation criticism ===== Durbin received media attention on June 14, 2005, when in the U.S. Senate chambers he compared interrogation techniques used at [[Camp X-Ray]], [[Guantanamo Bay detainment camp|Guantanamo Bay]], as reported by the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]], to those utilized by such regimes as [[Nazi Germany]], the [[Soviet Union]], and the [[Khmer Rouge]]: {{blockquote|When you read some of the graphic descriptions of what has occurred here—I almost hesitate to put them in the record, and yet they have to be added to this debate. Let me read to you what one FBI agent saw. And I quote from his report: {{blockquote|On a couple of occasions, I entered interview rooms to find a detainee chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food or water. Most times they urinated or defecated on themselves, and had been left there for 18–24 hours or more. On one occasion, the air conditioning had been turned down so far and the temperature was so cold in the room, that the barefooted detainee was shaking with cold. ... On another occasion, the [air conditioner] had been turned off, making the temperature in the unventilated room well over 100 degrees. The detainee was almost unconscious on the floor, with a pile of hair next to him. He had apparently been literally pulling his hair out throughout the night. On another occasion, not only was the temperature unbearably hot, but extremely loud rap music was being played in the room, and had been since the day before, with the detainee chained hand and foot in the fetal position on the tile floor.}} If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners in their control, you would most certainly believe this must have been done by [[Nazis]], [[Soviets]] in their [[gulag]]s, or some mad regime—[[Pol Pot]] or others—that had no concern for human beings. Sadly, that is not the case. This was the action of Americans in the treatment of their prisoners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://durbin.senate.gov/gitmo.cfm |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 21, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050624215134/http://durbin.senate.gov/gitmo.cfm |archive-date=June 24, 2005 }}</ref>}} Durbin's comments drew widespread criticism that comparing U.S. actions to such regimes insulted the United States and victims of [[genocide]]. Radio host [[Rush Limbaugh]] and White House deputy chief of staff [[Karl Rove]] accused him of [[treason]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Stabbed in the Back! (Harpers.org) |url=http://harpers.org/StabbedInTheBack.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103194207/http://harpers.org/StabbedInTheBack.html |archive-date=November 3, 2006 |access-date=October 31, 2006}}</ref> while former Speaker of the House [[Newt Gingrich]] called on the Senate to censure him.<ref>{{cite web |title=Newt Gingrich - Winning the Future |url=http://www.newt.org/backpage.asp?art%3D1843 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928045220/http://www.newt.org/backpage.asp?art=1843 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |access-date=August 16, 2006}}</ref> Chicago Mayor [[Richard M. Daley|Richard Daley]], whose son Patrick was serving in U.S. Army, also called on Durbin to apologize for his remarks, saying that he thought it was a "disgrace to say that any man or woman in the military would act like that."<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news |author=Murray, Shailagh |date=June 22, 2005 |title=Durbin Apologizes for Remarks on Abuse |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/21/AR2005062101654.html |access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref> John Wertheim, Democratic state party chairman of New Mexico, and Jim Pederson, Arizona Democratic party chairman, also criticized Durbin's remarks.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 19, 2005 |title=Durbin's Gitmo remarks draw fire back in Illinois |url=http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050619-125543-6256r.htm |access-date=August 1, 2016 |work=The Washington Times}}</ref> The leader of the [[Veterans of Foreign Wars]] also demanded an apology,<ref>{{cite web |title=News and Events | Veterans of Foreign Wars |url=http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=2655 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114075219/http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=2655 |archive-date=January 14, 2010 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |website=Vfw.org}}</ref> as did the [[Anti-Defamation League]].<ref name="autogenerated1" /> Durbin initially did not apologize, but on June 21, 2005, he went before the Senate, saying, "More than most people, a senator lives by his words ... occasionally words fail us, occasionally we will fail words."<ref>{{cite web |title=Archived copy |url=https://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id%3D239278 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050624201217/http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=239278 |archive-date=June 24, 2005 |access-date=June 24, 2005}}</ref> Former ''[[The New Republic]]'' editor [[Andrew Sullivan]] praised Durbin for raising serious moral issues about U.S. policy.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Daily Dish |url=http://time.blogs.com/daily_dish/2006/07/quote_for_the_d_10.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927032627/http://time.blogs.com/daily_dish/2006/07/quote_for_the_d_10.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |access-date=November 14, 2006}}</ref> Other commentators, including commentator [[Markos Moulitsas Zúniga]] of ''[[Daily Kos]]'', condemned Durbin for apologizing to his critics, arguing he made a mistake in making himself, rather than [[Guantanamo Bay detainment camp#Controversy|detention and torture concerns at Guantanamo Bay]], the focus of media coverage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chicago Tribune | Durbin should have stood up for his opinion |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0506230236jun23,0,1250714.column?coll%3Dchi-ed_opinion_columnists-utl |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050911152739/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0506230236jun23%2C0%2C1250714.column?coll=chi-ed_opinion_columnists-utl |archive-date=September 11, 2005 |access-date=June 25, 2005 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=June 22, 2005 |title=Durbin fucked up |url=http://dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/6/22/132428/176 |access-date=August 1, 2016 |website=Dailykos.com}}</ref> ==== Impeachment trials of Bill Clinton and Donald Trump ==== On February 12, 1999, Durbin joined all Democrats in the Senate in voting to acquit [[Bill Clinton]] on both impeachment articles in [[Impeachment trial of Bill Clinton|Clinton's impeachment trial]]. On February 5, 2020, Durbin voted to convict [[Donald Trump]] on both impeachment articles in [[First impeachment trial of Donald Trump|Trump's first impeachment trial]]. On February 13, 2021, Durbin voted to convict Trump again in [[Second impeachment trial of Donald Trump|Trump's second impeachment trial]]. ==== 2001 invasion of Afghanistan ==== Durbin voted to approve the [[Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists]]. This act granted the executive broad military powers and was used to justify the 2001 [[United States invasion of Afghanistan|U.S. invasion of Afghanistan]] and later military interventions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=1&vote=00281|title=U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 107th Congress - 1st Session|website=senate.gov}}</ref> ==== Iraq War ==== On September 9, 2002, Durbin was the first of four Democratic senators (the others being [[Bob Graham]], [[Dianne Feinstein]], and [[Carl Levin]]) on the [[United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence|Select Committee on Intelligence]] (SSCI), responding to the [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]]'s request for a [[Iraq war resolution|joint resolution]] authorizing a preemptive [[Iraq War|war on Iraq]] without having prepared a [[National Intelligence Estimate]] (NIE), to ask [[Director of Central Intelligence|Central Intelligence Director]] [[George Tenet]] to prepare an NIE on the status of [[Iraq]]'s [[Weapon of mass destruction]] programs.<ref>{{cite web|author=Select Committee on Intelligence |date=July 9, 2004 |title=Report on the U.S. Intelligence Community's Prewar Intelligence Assessments on Iraq |url=http://intelligence.senate.gov/108301.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830192616/http://intelligence.senate.gov/108301.pdf |archive-date=August 30, 2006 }}<br />{{cite web|author=Durbin, Richard |date=September 10, 2002 |title=Assessing Iraq's military capabilities |url=http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?position=all&page=S8427&dbname=2002_record |work=[[Congressional Record|Congressional Record--Senate]] |pages=S8427–S8429}}<br />{{cite news|author=Sweet, Lynn |title=U.S. lacks Iraq analysis: Durbin |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=(U.S.%20lacks%20Iraq%20analysis:%20Durbin)%20AND%20date(9/11/2002%20to%209/11/2002)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=9/11/2002%20to%209/11/2002)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(U.S.%20lacks%20Iraq%20analysis:%20Durbin)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |format=paid archive |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=September 11, 2002 |page=5}}</ref> Durbin was also one of few senators who read the resulting October 1, 2002, NIE, ''Iraq's Continuing Programs for Weapons of Mass Destruction''.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Windrem, Bob |author2= Murray, Mark |date= May 25, 2007 |title= Hillary and the 2002 NIE |url=http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/25/204032.aspx |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071208183926/http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/25/204032.aspx |archive-date= December 8, 2007 }}<br />{{cite news |date=May 29, 2007 |title= Records: Senators who OK'd war didn't read key report |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/05/28/clinton.iraq/index.html |publisher=[[CNN|cnn.com]]}}<br />{{cite web |author1=Raju, Manu |author2=Schor, Elana |author3=Wurman, Ilan |date=June 19, 2007 |title=Few senators read Iraq NIE report |url=http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/few-senators-read-iraq-nie-report-2007-06-19.html |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> On September 29, 2002, Durbin held a news conference in Chicago to announce that "absent dramatic changes" in the resolution, he would vote against the resolution authorizing war on Iraq.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Dorning, Mike|author2=Chase, John|title=Durbin opposes Bush war resolution|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/199166861.html?dids=199166861:199166861&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|format=paid archive|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=September 30, 2002|page=1 (Metro)|access-date=July 6, 2017|archive-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018213231/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/199166861.html?dids=199166861:199166861&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|url-status=dead}}</ref> On October 2, at the first high-profile Chicago anti-Iraq War rally in [[Kluczynski Federal Building|Federal Plaza]], he repeated his promise to oppose the resolution in a letter read during the rally.<ref>{{cite news |author=Glauber, Bill |title=War protesters gentler, but passion still burns |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/203569621.html?dids=203569621:203569621&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |format=paid archive |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=October 3, 2002 |page=1 |access-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617150444/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/203569621.html?dids=203569621:203569621&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT |url-status=dead }}<br />{{cite news |author=Strausberg, Chinta |title=War with Iraq undermines U.N. |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-220379051.html |format=paid archive |work=[[Chicago Defender]] |date=October 3, 2002 |page=1 |access-date=March 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014211715/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-220379051.html |archive-date=October 14, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}<br />{{cite news |author=Bryant, Greg |title=300 protesters rally to oppose war with Iraq |url=http://mesh.medill.northwestern.edu/mnschicago/archives/2002/10/300_protesters.html |publisher=[[Medill School of Journalism#Medill News Service - Chicago|Medill News Service]] |date=October 2, 2002 }}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}<br />{{cite web |author=Katz, Marilyn |date=October 2, 2007 |title=Five Years Since Our First Action |publisher=Chicagoans Against War & Injustice |url=http://www.noiraqwar-chicago.org/?p=127 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721192331/http://www.noiraqwar-chicago.org/?p=127 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 }}</ref> On October 10, the U.S. Senate failed to pass Durbin's amendment to the resolution to strike "the continuing threat posed by Iraq" and insert "an imminent threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction", by a 30–70 vote, with most Democratic senators voting for the amendment and 21 joining all 49 Republican senators voting against it.<ref>{{cite web|author=U.S. Senate |date=October 10, 2002|title=Roll call vote No. 236 on the Durbin Amendment No. 4865|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00236}}<br />{{cite news|author=Sweet, Lynn|title=Durbin loses bid to limit authority|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=headline(Durbin%20loses%20bid%20to%20limit%20authority)%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=title&p_text_advanced-0=(Durbin%20loses%20bid%20to%20limit%20authority)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no|format=paid archive|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=October 11, 2002|page=7}}</ref> On October 11, Durbin was one of 23 senators to vote against the joint resolution authorizing the Iraq War.<ref>{{cite web |author=U.S. Senate |date=October 11, 2002 |title=Roll call vote No. 237 on H.J.Res. 114 |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00237}}<br />{{cite web |author=Goldberg, Michelle |date=November 11, 2002 |title=Wellstone was right |url=http://dir.salon.com/story/politics/feature/2002/11/02/war/index.html |work=[[Salon.com]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921010841/http://dir.salon.com/story/politics/feature/2002/11/02/war/index.html |archive-date=September 21, 2007 }}</ref> On April 25, 2007, Durbin said that as an intelligence committee member he knew in 2002 from [[classified information in the United States|classified information]] that the Bush Administration was misleading the American people into a war on Iraq, but could not reveal this because, as an intelligence committee member, he was sworn to secrecy.<ref>{{cite web |author=Durbin, Richard |date=April 25, 2007 |title=Iraq Supplemental Appropriations Bill |url=http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getpage.cgi?position=all&page=S5026&dbname=2007_record |work=[[Congressional Record|Congressional Record--Senate]] |pages=S5026–S5028}}<br />{{cite news |author=Lengell, Sean |title=Durbin kept silent on prewar knowledge |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=Durbin%20AND%20kept%20AND%20silent%20AND%20on%20AND%20prewar%20AND%20knowledge&s_dispstring=Durbin%20kept%20silent%20on%20prewar%20knowledge%20AND%20date(04/27/2007%20to%2004/27/2007)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=04/27/2007%20to%2004/27/2007)&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |format=paid archive |work=[[The Washington Times]] |date=April 27, 2007 |page=A1}}<br />{{cite web |author=Oberman, Keith |date=April 27, 2007 |title=5. Changing Tenets |url=http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/27/173043.aspx |work=[[Countdown with Keith Olbermann]] |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518101826/http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/27/173043.aspx |archive-date=May 18, 2008 }}<br />{{cite web |author=SilentPatriot |date=April 28, 2007 |title=Sen. Durbin drops bombshells on the Senate floor |url=http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/28/sen-durbin-drops-bombshells-on-the-senate-floor |work=[[Crooks and Liars]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618063244/http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/04/28/sen-durbin-drops-bombshells-on-the-senate-floor/ |archive-date=June 18, 2008 }}</ref> This revelation prompted an online [[attack ad]] against Durbin by the [[National Republican Senatorial Committee]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Krol, Eric |title=GOP goes after Durbin with online ad|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ADHB&p_theme=adhb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=GOP%20AND%20goes%20AND%20after%20AND%20Durbin%20AND%20online%20AND%20ad&s_dispstring=GOP%20goes%20after%20Durbin%20with%20online%20ad%20AND%20date(5/3/2007%20to%205/3/2007)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=5/3/2007%20to%205/3/2007)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no|format=paid archive |work=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]|date=May 3, 2007|page=10}}<br />{{cite news|author=Byrne, Dennis|title=Oath upheld, but at what cost?|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/1266336361.html?dids=1266336361:1266336361&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT|format=paid archive|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 7, 2007|page=21}}</ref> ==== Russia ==== Durbin spearheaded a nonbinding resolution in July 2018 "warning President Trump not to let the Russian government question diplomats and other officials". The resolution states the U.S. "should refuse to make available any current or former diplomat, civil servant, political appointee, law enforcement official or member of the Armed Forces of the United States for questioning by the government of [[Vladimir Putin]]". It passed 98–0.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carney |first1=Jordain |title=Senate approves resolution warning Trump not to hand over US officials |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/397904-senate-approves-resolution-warning-trump-not-to-hand-over-us-officials/ |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|date=July 19, 2018 |access-date=July 22, 2018}}</ref> In December 2018, after [[United States Secretary of State]] [[Mike Pompeo]] announced the Trump administration was suspending its obligations in the [[Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]] in 60 days if Russia continued to violate the treaty, Durbin was one of 26 senators to sign a letter expressing concern over the administration "now abandoning generations of bipartisan U.S. leadership around the paired goals of reducing the global role and number of nuclear weapons and ensuring strategic stability with America's nuclear-armed adversaries" and calling on Trump to continue arms negotiations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/defense/421307-senate-dems-urge-trump-to-continue-nuclear-arms-control-negotiations-after/|title=Senate Dems urge Trump to continue nuclear arms control negotiations after treaty suspension|date=December 13, 2018|first=Ellen|last=Mitchell|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> ==== Saudi Arabia ==== In March 2019, Durbin was one of 10 Democratic senators to sign a letter to [[Salman of Saudi Arabia]] requesting the release of human rights lawyer [[Waleed Abulkhair|Waleed Abu al-Khair]] and writer [[Raif Badawi]], women's rights activists [[Loujain al-Hathloul]] and [[Samar Badawi]], and Dr. [[Walid Fitaihi|Walid Fitaih]]. The senators wrote, "Not only have reputable international organizations detailed the arbitrary detention of peaceful activists and dissidents without trial for long periods, but the systematic discrimination against women, religious minorities and mistreatment of migrant workers and others has also been well-documented."<ref>{{cite news |last=Budryk |first=Zack |date=March 19, 2019 |title=Senate Dems petition Saudi king to release dissidents, US citizen |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/434752-senate-dems-petition-saudi-king-to-release-dissidents-us-citizen/}}</ref> ==== Israel-Palestine ==== In his 1982 campaign, Durbin benefited from donations by pro-Israel groups, especially [[AIPAC]],<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Grim |first=Ryan |date=2023-11-02 |title=Dick Durbin, AIPAC's First Successful Recruit, Becomes First Senator to Call for Gaza Ceasefire |url=https://theintercept.com/2023/11/02/dick-durbin-gaza-ceasefire-aipac/ |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=[[The Intercept]] |language=en-US}}</ref> that opposed Paul Findley's advocacy on behalf of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]] in the year before the election.<ref name=":3" /> In 2019, Durbin co-signed a Senate resolution affirming support for a [[Two-State Solution|two-state solution]] and opposition to a [[proposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank]].<ref>{{cite news |date=July 7, 2020 |title=Democratic Senators Release Resolution Against Israeli Annexation of West Bank |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/democratic-senators-release-resolution-against-annexing-west-bank-1.7340626}}</ref> In November 2023, Durbin was the first U.S. senator to call for a ceasefire in the [[Gaza war]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Feurer |first1=Todd |last2=Henry |first2=Skylar |date=2023-11-02 |title=Sen. Dick Durbin calls for Gaza ceasefire, tied to Hamas' release of hostages - CBS Chicago |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/dick-durbin-gaza-ceasefire-israel-hamas-war/ |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=[[CBS News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In January 2024, Durbin voted against a resolution proposed by Senator [[Bernie Sanders]] to apply the [[Human rights violations against Palestinians by Israel|human rights]] provisions of the [[Foreign Assistance Act]] to [[United States support for Israel in the Gaza war|U.S. aid to Israel's military]]. The proposal was defeated, 72 to 11.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Shame of the Senate |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/senate-gaza-vote-bernie-sanders/ |work=[[The Nation]] |date=January 17, 2024}}</ref> In March 2024, Durbin urged the Biden administration to [[International recognition of the State of Palestine|recognize]] a "nonmilitarized" [[State of Palestine|Palestinian state]] after the end of the [[Gaza war|war in Gaza]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Senate Democrats press Biden to establish two-state solution for Israel, Palestine |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4544765-democrats-press-biden-two-state-solution-israel-palestine/ |work=The Hill |date=March 20, 2024}}</ref> In April 2025, Durbin voted for a pair of resolutions Sanders proposed to cancel the [[Second presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration's]] sales of $8.8 billion in bombs and other munitions to Israel. The proposals were defeated, 82 to 15.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Neukam |first=Stephen |date=April 3, 2025 |title=15 Senate Dems vote to cancel billions in Israeli military aid |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/04/03/senate-democrats-cancel-military-aid-israel |access-date=April 3, 2025 |website=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |language=en}}</ref> ==== Drone warfare ==== In April 2013, Durbin chaired a hearing in the [[United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution|Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights]] about the moral, legal and constitutional issues surrounding [[targeted killings]] and the use of [[Unmanned combat air vehicle|drones]]. Durbin said, "Many in the national security community are concerned that we may undermine our counterterrorism efforts if we do not carefully measure the benefits and costs of targeted killing."<ref>{{cite news |last=Koenig |first=Robert |date=May 1, 2013 |title=Drone wars: Do 'targeted killings' undermine 'hearts and minds' counterterrorism efforts? |publisher=St. Louis Beacon |url=https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/30654/drone_wars_durbin |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720014459/https://www.stlbeacon.org/#!/content/30654/drone_wars_durbin |archive-date=July 20, 2013 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>[[File:Dick Durbin with Elena Kagan.jpg|thumb|right|Durbin meets with [[Elena Kagan]].]] === Other positions === In October 2007, Durbin opposed a bill in the [[Illinois General Assembly]] that would allow three casinos to be built, saying, "I really, really think we ought to stop and catch our breath and say, 'Is this the future of Illinois? That every time we want to do something we'll just build more casinos?{{'"}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Durbin Cautions State on Casino Plan |publisher=[[WBEZ]] |date=October 8, 2007 |url=http://www.wbez.org/Cityroom_Read.aspx?storyID=13874 |access-date=November 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208211918/http://www.wbez.org/Cityroom_Read.aspx?storyID=13874 |archive-date=February 8, 2009 }}</ref> In August 2013, Durbin was one of 23 Democratic senators to sign a letter to the Defense Department warning of some payday lenders "offering predatory loan products to service members at exorbitant triple-digit effective interest rates and loan products that do not include the additional protections envisioned by the law" and asserting that service members and their families "deserve the strongest possible protections and swift action to ensure that all forms of credit offered to members of our armed forces are safe and sound."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/159307-senate-dems-ask-dod-to-protect-service-members-from-predatory-lenders/|title=Senate Dems ask DOD to protect service members from predatory lenders|author=Cox, Ramsey|date=August 15, 2013|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> In March 2018, Durbin was one of 10 senators to sign a letter spearheaded by [[Jeff Merkley]] lambasting a proposal by FCC Chairman [[Ajit Pai]] that would curb the scope of benefits from the Lifeline program during a period when roughly 6.5 million people in poor communities relied on Lifeline to receive access to high-speed internet, arguing that it was Pai's "obligation to the American public, as the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, to improve the Lifeline program and ensure that more Americans can afford access, and have means of access, to broadband and phone service." The senators also advocated insuring that "Lifeline reaches more Americans in need of access to communication services."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/380870-democrats-slam-fcc-head-over-plan-to-limit-internet-access-funding-for-low/|title=Dems slam FCC head for proposed limits to low-income internet program|author=Breland, Ali|date=March 29, 2018|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> In April 2019, Durbin was one of 34 senators to sign a letter to Trump encouraging him "to listen to members of your own Administration and reverse a decision that will damage our national security and aggravate conditions inside Central America", asserting that Trump had "consistently expressed a flawed understanding of U.S. foreign assistance" since becoming president and that he was "personally undermining efforts to promote U.S. national security and economic prosperity" by preventing the use of Fiscal Year 2018 national security funding. The senators argued that foreign assistance to Central American countries created less migration to the U.S. by helping to improve conditions in those countries.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/americas/437463-more-than-30-dem-sens-ask-trump-to-reconsider-cutting-foreign/|title=More than 30 Senate Dems ask Trump to reconsider Central American aid cuts|first=Rachel|last=Frazin|date=April 4, 2019|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> In April 2019, Durbin was one of six senators to send [[Consumer Financial Protection Bureau|CFPB]] director [[Kathy Kraninger]] a letter expressing concern that "CFPB leadership has abandoned its supervision and enforcement activities related to federal student loan servicers" and opining that such behavior displayed "a shocking disregard for the financial well-being of our nation's public servants, including teachers, first responders, and members of the military." The senators requested that Kraninger clarify the CFPB's role in overseeing the [[Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)|Public Service Loan Forgiveness's]] student loan servicers handling since December 2017, such as examinations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/04/05/709847825/senators-to-consumer-watchdog-prove-youre-protecting-student-borrowers|title=Senators To Consumer Watchdog: Prove You're Protecting Student Borrowers|first=Cory|last=Turner|date=April 5, 2019|publisher=[[NPR]]}}</ref> In April 2019, Durbin was one of 41 senators to sign a bipartisan letter to the housing subcommittee praising the [[United States Department of Housing and Urban Development|United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's]] Section 4 Capacity Building program as authorizing "HUD to partner with national nonprofit community development organizations to provide education, training, and financial support to local community development corporations (CDCs) across the country" and expressing disappointment that Trump's budget "has slated this program for elimination after decades of successful economic and community development." The senators wrote of their hope that the subcommittee would support continued funding for Section 4 in Fiscal Year 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950|title=Wyden, Merkley urge more affordable housing funds|date=April 16, 2019|publisher=ktvz.com|access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-date=April 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418125917/https://www.ktvz.com/news/wyden-merkley-urge-more-affordable-housing-funds/1069680950|url-status=dead}}</ref> In June 2019, Durbin was one of 15 senators to introduce the Affordable Medications Act, legislation intended to promote transparency by mandating that pharmaceutical companies disclose the amount of money going toward research and development in addition to both marketing and executives' salaries. The bill also abolished the restriction that stopped the federal Medicare program from using its buying power to negotiate lower drug prices for beneficiaries and hinder drug company monopoly practices used to keep prices high and disable less expensive generics entering the market.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-helps-introduce-comprehensive-reform-to-address-skyrocketing-prescription-drug-prices/|title=U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Helps Introduce Comprehensive Reform to Address Skyrocketing Prescription Drug Prices|date=June 12, 2019|publisher=urbanmilwaukee.com}}</ref> In August 2019, Durbin, three other Senate Democrats, and [[Bernie Sanders]] signed a letter to Acting FDA Commissioner [[Ned Sharpless]] in response to [[Novartis]] falsifying data as part of an attempt to gain the FDA's approval for its new [[gene therapy]] [[Zolgensma]], writing that it was "unconscionable that a drug company would provide manipulated data to federal regulators in order to rush its product to market, reap federal perks, and charge the highest amount in American history for its medication."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/u-s-senator-tammy-baldwin-to-fda-hold-avexis-accountable-for-falsifying-data/|title=U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to FDA: Hold AveXis Accountable for Falsifying Data|first=Tammy|last=Baldwin|date=August 9, 2019|publisher=Urban Milwaukee}}</ref> Durbin was participating in the [[2021 United States Electoral College vote count]] when [[January 6 United States Capitol attack|pro-Trump rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol]]. Along with other senators and staff, Durbin ran out of the Senate Chamber after the attackers, whom he called "extremists", breached the Capitol. He then evacuated to a secure location with Pelosi, McConnell and Schumer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Faulkner |first1=Todd |last2=Priewe |first2=James |title=Illinois' Durbin and Bost share thoughts after Capitol riot |url=https://www.wpsdlocal6.com/news/illinois-durbin-and-bost-share-thoughts-after-capitol-riot/article_55bc94d0-5230-11eb-a468-3711bfd24cb0.html |access-date=January 9, 2021 |work=WPSD Local 6 |date=January 8, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Durbin blamed Trump for the attack. He also said Senator [[Josh Hawley]] was partially responsible for the attack. He called for Trump's removal through the invocation of the [[Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution]] or impeachment.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kinsaul |first1=Russell |title=Senators Blunt, Durbin comment on Capitol chaos, impeachment and Hawley |url=http://www.kmov.com/news/senators-blunt-durbin-comment-on-capitol-chaos-impeachment-and-hawley/article_35e40386-5213-11eb-b756-c3fd4b591422.html |access-date=9 January 2021 |work=KMOV4 |date=8 January 2021}}</ref> In March 2025, Durbin voted with all Senate Republicans and nine Democrats to pass a continuing resolution, advancing the Trump administration's spending bill, angering many Democratic base constituents as well as House Democrats, who unanimously opposed the bill.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Al |date=March 14, 2025 |title=These 10 Democrats voted to advance the GOP funding bill |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5195990-senate-democrats-advance-funding-bill/ |website=The Hill}}</ref> ==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no change | title = 1976 Illinois 50th Senate district - Primary Election (2-year term) (3/16/76)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1976/1976%20GE%20and%20PE.pdf|title=Official Vote|website=Illinois State Board of Elections|access-date=February 23, 2022|archive-date=July 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714180655/https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads%2FElectionOperations%2FVoteTotals%2FArchived%2F1976%2F1976%20GE%20and%20PE.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/382163926/?terms=%22Richard%20Durbin%22&match=1|title=Victorious regulars may steady Springfield|website=Newspapers.com}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin | votes = 12,930 | percentage = 41.68 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Gary Tumulty | votes = 11,055 | percentage = 35.63 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Joseph Londrigan | votes = 7,036 | percentage = 22.68 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Write-Ins | votes = 3 | percentage = 0 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 31,024 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1976 Illinois's 50th Senate district election<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=556779|title= IL State Senate 50|access-date=April 27, 2020|website=Our Campaigns}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = [[John Davidson (Illinois politician)|John Davidson]] ([[incumbent]]) | votes = 48,760 | percentage = 50.86 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin | votes = 47,112 | percentage = 49.14 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 95872 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1978 Illinois primary election - Lt. Governor (3/21/78) <ref>{{cite web |title=OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION MARCH 21, 1978 |url=https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1978/1978%20PE.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327112515/https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1978/1978%20PE.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |website=www.elections.il.gov |publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (unopposed) | votes = 528,819 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Write-Ins | votes = 5 | percentage = 0 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 528,824 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change| title=1978 Illinois gubernatorial general election (11/7/78) <ref>{{cite web |title=1978 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Illinois |url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1978&fips=17&f=0&off=5&elect=0&minper=0 |website=uselectionatlas.org |publisher=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Elections |access-date=March 27, 2020}}</ref>}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change| |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = '''[[James R. Thompson]] (incumbent)<br>[[David C. O'Neal]] (incumbent)''' |votes = '''1,859,684''' |percentage = '''59.04''' |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = [[Michael Bakalis]]<br> Dick Durbin |votes = 1,263,134 |percentage = 40.10 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | |party = Libertarian Party (US) |candidate = Georgia Shields |votes = 11,420 |percentage = 0.36 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | |party = Socialist Workers Party (United States) |candidate = Cecil Lampkin |votes = 11,026 |percentage = 0.35 |change = }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | |party = U.S. Labor Party |candidate = Melvin Klenetsky |votes = 4,737 |percentage = 0.15 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | |party = Write-in |candidate = Others |votes = 106 |percentage = 0.00 }} {{Election box total no change| |votes = 3,150,107 |percentage = }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1982 Illinois's 20th congressional district election – Democratic primary<ref name=ArchivedVotes>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/DownloadVoteTotals.aspx|title=Downloadable Vote Totals|access-date=April 13, 2020|publisher=[[Illinois State Board of Elections]]|archive-date=November 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107185248/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/DownloadVoteTotals.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party of Illinois | candidate = Dick Durbin | votes = 33956 | percentage = 75.33 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party of Illinois | candidate = [[John Linebaugh Knuppel|John L. Knuppel]] | votes = 11119 | percentage = 24.67 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 45075 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1982 Illinois's 20th congressional district election<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/|title=Election Statistics, 1920 to Present|access-date=November 7, 2019|website=History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives|page=13}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin | votes = 100758 | percentage = 50.35 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = [[Paul Findley]] ([[incumbent]]) | votes = 99348 | percentage = 49.65 }} {{Election box candidate no change | party = Write-in votes | candidate = Write-in | votes = 3 | percentage = 0.00 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 200109 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1984 Illinois's 20th congressional district election – Democratic primary<ref name=ArchivedVotes /> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party of Illinois | candidate = Dick Durbin ([[incumbent]]) | votes = 53588 | percentage = 92.47 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party of Illinois | candidate = Louis K. Widmar | votes = 4363 | percentage = 7.53 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 57951 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1984 Illinois's 20th congressional district election<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/|title=Election Statistics, 1920 to Present|access-date=November 7, 2019|website=History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives|page=16}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 145092 | percentage = 61.23 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Richard G. Austin | votes = 91728 | percentage = 38.73 }} {{Election box candidate no change | party = N/A | candidate = Other | votes = 1 | percentage = 0.00 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 236821 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1986 Illinois's 20th congressional district election<ref name="auto"/> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 126556 | percentage = 68.10 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Kevin B. McCarthy | votes = 59291 | percentage = 31.90 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 185847 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1988 Illinois's 20th congressional district election<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/|title=Election Statistics, 1920 to Present|access-date=November 7, 2019|website=History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives|page=15}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 153341 | percentage = 68.87 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Paul E. Jurgens | votes = 69303 | percentage = 31.13 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 222644 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1990 Illinois's 20th congressional district election<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/|title=Election Statistics, 1920 to Present|access-date=November 7, 2019|website=History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives|page=12}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 130114 | percentage = 66.20 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Paul Jurgens | votes = 66433 | percentage = 33.80 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 196547 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1992 Illinois's 20th congressional district election<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/|title=Election Statistics, 1920 to Present|access-date=November 7, 2019|website=History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives|page=23}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 154869 | percentage = 56.50 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = [[John Shimkus|John M. Shimkus]] | votes = 119219 | percentage = 43.50 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 274088 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1994 Illinois's 20th congressional district election – Democratic primary<ref name=ArchivedVotes /> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party of Illinois | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 46248 | percentage = 99.97 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party of Illinois | candidate = Donald Wm. Owens ([[write-in]]) | votes = 14 | percentage = 0.03 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 46262 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1994 Illinois's 20th congressional district election<ref name="auto"/> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 108034 | percentage = 54.84 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Bill Owens | votes = 88964 | percentage = 45.16 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 196998 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = 1996 United States Senate election in Illinois – Democratic primary<ref name=ArchivedVotes /> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin | votes = 512520 | percentage = 64.87 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = [[Pat Quinn (politician)|Pat Quinn]] | votes = 233138 | percentage = 29.50 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Ronald F. Gibbs | votes = 17681 | percentage = 2.23 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = J. Ahmad | votes = 17211 | percentage = 2.17 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Paul Park | votes = 9505 | percentage = 1.20 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 790055 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = [[1996 United States Senate election in Illinois]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.house.gov/Institution/Election-Statistics/|title=Election Statistics, 1920 to Present|access-date=November 7, 2019|website=History, Art & Archives, U.S. House of Representatives|page=21}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin | votes = 2341744 | percentage = 54.32 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = [[Al Salvi]] | votes = 1728824 | percentage = 40.10 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Reform Party of the United States of America | candidate = Steven H. Perry | votes = 61023 | percentage = 1.42 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | candidate = Robin J. Miller | votes = 41218 | percentage = 0.96 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Constitution Party (United States) | candidate = Chad Koppie | votes = 17563 | percentage = 0.41 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Natural Law Party (United States) | candidate = James E. Davis | votes = 13838 | percentage = 0.32 }} {{Election box candidate no change | party = Write-in votes | candidate = Write-in | votes = 4,228 | percentage = 0.10 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 4311391 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = [[2002 United States Senate election in Illinois]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=wJsCqqjRM60%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|title=Election Results 2002 GENERAL ELECTION|publisher=[[Illinois State Board of Elections]]|access-date=November 7, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 2103766 | percentage = 60.33 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = [[Jim Durkin]] | votes = 1325703 | percentage = 38.02 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | candidate = Steven Burgauer | votes = 57382 | percentage = 1.65 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 3486851 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = [[2008 United States Senate election in Illinois]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=xj8bneOa8Fk%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|title=Election Results 2008 GENERAL ELECTION|publisher=[[Illinois State Board of Elections]]|access-date=November 7, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 3615844 | percentage = 67.84 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Steve Sauerberg | votes = 1520621 | percentage = 28.53 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Green Party of the United States | candidate = Kathy Cummings | votes = 119135 | percentage = 2.24 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | candidate = Larry A. Stafford | votes = 50224 | percentage = 0.94 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Constitution Party (United States) | candidate = Chad N. Koppie | votes = 24059 | percentage = 0.45 }} {{Election box candidate no change | party = Write-in votes | candidate = Patricia Elaine Beard | votes = 1 | percentage = 0.00 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 5329884 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = [[2014 United States Senate election in Illinois]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx?ID=z%2fR%2feACUG%2bY%3d&OfficeType=%2brBqro%2b%2bHTUkQvv7Q1tDdQ%3d%3d|title=Election Results 2014 GENERAL ELECTION|publisher=[[Illinois State Board of Elections]]|access-date=November 7, 2019}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 1929637 | percentage = 53.55 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = [[Jim Oberweis]] | votes = 1538522 | percentage = 42.69 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | candidate = Sharon Hansen | votes = 135316 | percentage = 3.76 }} {{Election box candidate no change | party = Write-in votes | candidate = Roger K. Davis | votes = 31 | percentage = 0.00 }} {{Election box candidate no change | party = Write-in votes | candidate = Hilaire F. Shioura | votes = 12 | percentage = 0.00 }} {{Election box candidate no change | party = Write-in votes | candidate = Sherry Procarione | votes = 1 | percentage = 0.00 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 3603519 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no change | title = [[2020 United States Senate election in Illinois]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elections.il.gov/electionoperations/votetotalsearch.aspx|title=Election Results 2020 GENERAL ELECTION|publisher=[[Illinois State Board of Elections]]|access-date=December 12, 2020|archive-date=November 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118144557/https://www.elections.il.gov/electionoperations/votetotalsearch.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = Democratic Party (United States) | candidate = Dick Durbin (incumbent) | votes = 3,278,930 | percentage = 54.93 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = [[Mark Curran]] | votes = 2,319,870 | percentage = 38.87 }} {{Election box candidate no change | party = Willie Wilson Party | color = white | candidate = [[Willie Wilson (businessman)|Willie Wilson]] | votes = 237,699 | percentage = 3.98 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | candidate = Danny Malouf | votes = 75,673 | percentage = 1.27 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Green Party (United States) | candidate = David Black | votes = 55,711 | percentage = 0.95 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 18 | percentage = 0.00 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 5,968,901 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box end}} ==Personal life== {{expand section|date=August 2012}} === Family === Durbin and his wife Loretta have had three children, Christine, Jennifer and Paul. After several weeks in the hospital with complications due to a [[congenital disorder|congenital]] heart condition, Christine died on November 1, 2008, at age 40.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-obit-christinedur,0,991349.story|title=Daughter of Illinois Sen. Durbin dies at 40 -- chicagotribune.com|publisher=www.chicagotribune.com|access-date=November 1, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106101936/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-obit-christinedur%2C0%2C991349.story|archive-date=November 6, 2008}}</ref> As of 2023, according to CAKnowledge.com, Durbin's net worth is $10 million.<ref name="net-worth">{{cite web |title=Dick Durbin - Net Worth - Personal Finances |url=https://caknowledge.com/dick-durbin-net-worth/ |access-date=6 October 2023 |website=CAknowledge.com|date=June 7, 2023 }}</ref> In June 2024, Durbin underwent a [[hip replacement]] surgery.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fortinsky |first1=Sarah |title=Durbin undergoes hip replacement surgery |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4743826-dick-durbin-senate-democrat-hip-replacement-surgery/ |website=The Hill |date=June 27, 2024 |access-date=27 June 2024}}</ref> === Conflict of interest issues === Durbin's wife was a lobbyist, and it was reported by the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' in 2014 that some of her "clients have received federal funding promoted by [Durbin]".<ref name="Maintain">{{cite news|last1=Skiba|first1=Katherine|last2=Geiger|first2=Kim|title=When Interests Overlap for Durbin, Lobbyist Wife|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-durbin-wife-lobbyist-20141004-story.html|date=October 4, 2014|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=July 29, 2016}}</ref> In addition to announcing the award of monies to ten clients of his wife's lobbying firm, these conflicts included her lobbying firm receiving a one-year contract with a housing nonprofit group around the time Durbin went to bat for the organization; a state university receiving funds through an earmark by Durbin when his wife was its lobbyist; and Durbin arranging federal money for a public health nonprofit when his wife was seeking state support for the same group.<ref name="Maintain" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chicagoinc/ct-dick-durbin-most-controversial-moments-chicago-inc-2017-htmlstory.html|title=Durbin's history of scrapes|first1=Kim|last1=Janssen|first2=Jonathon|last2=Berlin|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=July 10, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> The Durbins maintain that they try to avoid conflicts of interest.<ref name="Maintain" /> === Religion === Durbin is a Roman Catholic. In 2004, the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois]] barred him from receiving communion because he voted against the [[Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act]]. The current bishop of the diocese said Durbin stays away from his Springfield parish because "he doesn't want to make a scene".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sj-r.com/article/20140619/NEWS/140619234|title=Paprocki: Durbin still not welcome at communion|last=Spearie|first=Steven|date=June 19, 2014|work=The State Journal-Register|access-date=July 8, 2018}}</ref> Durbin responded to the communion ban in 2004 that he is accountable to his constituents, even if it means defying Church teachings.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-04-02/news/0404020206_1_catholic-politician-bishops-church-and-state|title=Durbin keeps faith, despite votes.|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 2, 2004|access-date=May 1, 2018|author=Brachear, Manya A.}}</ref> In 2018, Bishop [[Thomas John Paprocki]] affirmed the decision to deny Durbin communion in the Springfield Diocese after Durbin's vote against the [[Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act]]. In 2017, Durbin was criticized for requesting a clarification from then Court of Appeals nominee [[Amy Coney Barrett]] during her Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing about her self-descriptive terminology "orthodox Catholic." He contended that such terminology might unfairly characterize Catholics who may not agree with the church's positions about abortion or the death penalty. Barrett had written in an article that "litigants and the general public are entitled to impartial justice, and that may be something that a judge who is heedful of ecclesiastical pronouncements cannot dispense". Barrett also opined that judges are not bound by precedent conflicting with the Constitution.<ref name=DeSanctis>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/dianne-feinstein-amy-coney-barrett-senator-attacks-catholic-judicial-nominee/|title=Dianne Feinstein Attacks Judicial Nominee's Catholic Faith|work=[[National Review]]|author=DeSanctis, Alexandra|date=September 6, 2017|access-date=September 9, 2018}}</ref> She wrote that judges could recuse themselves from hearing matters if their faith conflicted with issues to be decided in cases they might otherwise hear.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2017/10/31/donnelly-one-few-democrats-back-notre-dame-professor-federal-court/817992001/|title=Donnelly one of few Democrats to back potential Supreme Court justice Amy Coney Barrett|work=[[Indianapolis Star]]|author=Groppe, Maureen|date=October 31, 2017|access-date=September 9, 2018}}</ref> Senator [[Dianne Feinstein]] said, "Senators must inquire about these issues when considering lifetime appointments because ensuring impartiality and fidelity to precedent are critical for the rule of law".<ref name=DeSanctis/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2017/09/dick-durbin-dianne-feinstein-senators-grill-judicial-nominee-amy-coney-barrett-religion-catholic/|title=Did Durbin and Feinstein Impose a Religious Test for Office? |author=DeSanctis, Alexandra|date=September 8, 2017|work=National Review|access-date=July 10, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> The issue prompted questions regarding the application of [[No Religious Test Clause|Article VI, Section 3]] of the [[U.S. Constitution|Constitution]], which mandates: "No [[religious test]] shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehoya.com/editorial-religious-tests-unfit-court/|title=EDITORIAL: Religious Tests Unfit for Court|work=The Hoya|date=September 15, 2017|access-date=July 10, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> ===Film and television appearances=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! colspan="4" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | Film |- ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- | 2010 | ''Pricele$$''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2343687/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast|title=Pricele$$ (TV Movie 2010) - Full Cast & Crew|access-date=2019-11-07|website=[[IMDb]]}}</ref> | Himself | Documentary |- | 2015 | ''The Gettysburg Address''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3066808/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast|title=The Gettysburg Address - Full Cast & Crew|access-date=2019-11-07|website=[[IMDb]]}}</ref> | Himself | Documentary |- |2022 |''Loan Wolves''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Loan Wolves |url=https://originalproductions.com/show/loan-wolves/ |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=Original Productions |language=en-US}}</ref> |Himself |Documentary |} ==See also== *[[Trump–Ukraine scandal]] ==Notes== {{notelist}} {{reflist|group=note}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== {{CongLinks | congbio=d000563 | votesmart=26847 | fec=S6IL00151 | congress=richard-durbin/326 }} ==External links== * [https://durbin.senate.gov Senator Durbin] official U.S. Senate website * [https://www.dickdurbin.com Dick Durbin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110023746/https://dickdurbin.com/ |date=November 10, 2020 }} official campaign website * {{C-SPAN|6741}} {{s-start}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Neil Hartigan]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[Lieutenant Governor of Illinois]]|years=[[1978 Illinois gubernatorial election|1978]]}} {{s-aft|after=[[Grace Mary Stern]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[List of United States senators from Illinois|U.S. Senator]] from [[Illinois]]<br />([[Classes of United States senators|Class 2]])|years=[[1996 United States Senate election in Illinois|1996]], [[2002 United States Senate election in Illinois|2002]], [[2008 United States Senate election in Illinois|2008]], [[2014 United States Senate election in Illinois|2014]], [[2020 United States Senate election in Illinois|2020]]}} {{s-inc|recent}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Harry Reid]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Democratic Whip]]|years=2005–present}} {{s-inc}} |- {{s-par|us-hs}} {{s-bef|before=[[Paul Findley]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Illinois|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br />from [[Illinois's 20th congressional district]]|years=1983–1997}} {{s-aft|after=[[John Shimkus]]}} |- {{s-par|us-sen}} {{s-bef|before=[[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of United States senators from Illinois|U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Illinois]]|years=1997–present|alongside=[[Carol Moseley Braun]], [[Peter Fitzgerald (politician)|Peter Fitzgerald]], [[Barack Obama]], [[Roland Burris]], [[Mark Kirk]], [[Tammy Duckworth]]}} {{s-inc}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Harry Reid]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Minority Whip]]|years=2005–2007}} {{s-aft|after=[[Trent Lott]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Mitch McConnell]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Majority Whip]]|years=2007–2015}} {{s-aft|after=[[John Cornyn]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[John Cornyn]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Minority Whip]]|years=2015–2021}} {{s-aft|after=[[John Thune]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Chuck Grassley]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]]|years=2021–2025}} {{s-aft|after=[[Chuck Grassley]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[John Thune]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Majority Whip]]|years=2021–2025}} {{s-aft|after=[[John Barrasso]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[John Thune]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Minority Whip]]|years=2025–present}} {{s-inc|rows=2}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Lindsey Graham]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary Committee]]|years=2025–present}} |- {{s-prec|usa}} {{s-bef|before=[[John Barrasso]]|as=Senate Majority Whip}} {{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Senate Minority Whip}}''|years=}} {{s-aft|after=[[Mitch McConnell]]|as=United States Senator from Kentucky}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Ron Wyden]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Seniority in the United States Senate|United States senators by seniority]]|years=5th}} {{s-aft|after=[[Jack Reed (Rhode Island politician)|Jack Reed]]}} {{s-end}} {{Navboxes|list= {{US Senate leaders}} {{Illinois statewide political officials}} {{IL-FedRep}} {{Current U.S. senators}} {{US Senate Majority Whips}} {{US Senate Minority Whips}} {{US Senate Democratic Whips}} {{US Senate Judiciary chairs}} {{Patriot Act}} {{United States senators from Illinois}} {{USCongRep-start |congresses=98th–present [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[Illinois]]}} {{USCongRep/IL/98}} {{USCongRep/IL/99}} {{USCongRep/IL/100}} {{USCongRep/IL/101}} {{USCongRep/IL/102}} {{USCongRep/IL/103}} {{USCongRep/IL/104}} {{USCongRep/IL/105}} {{USCongRep/IL/106}} {{USCongRep/IL/107}} {{USCongRep/IL/108}} {{USCongRep/IL/109}} {{USCongRep/IL/110}} {{USCongRep/IL/111}} {{USCongRep/IL/112}} {{USCongRep/IL/113}} {{USCongRep/IL/114}} {{USCongRep/IL/115}} {{USCongRep/IL/116}} {{USCongRep/IL/117}} {{USCongRep/IL/118}} {{USCongRep/IL/119}} {{USCongRep-end}} }} {{Subject bar |commons=yes |commons-search=Category:Dick Durbin |q=yes |q-search=Richard Durbin |s=yes |s-search=Author:Richard Durbin |d=yes}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Durbin, Dick}} [[Category:Dick Durbin|*]] [[Category:1944 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:20th-century Roman Catholics]] [[Category:20th-century members of the United States House of Representatives]] [[Category:21st-century Roman Catholics]] [[Category:21st-century United States senators]] [[Category:American people of Irish descent]] 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