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Richard Joseph Durbin
Senate · IL

Richard Joseph Durbin

D · ILAge 81· Mainstream DemocratStandard review

Dick Durbin represents Illinois in the U.S. Senate since January 1997, serving his fifth term. He served as Senate Majority Whip (second-ranking Democrat) under Schumer's leadership 2021-2025. He chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee 2021-2025, overseeing the confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and hundreds of lower-court judges.

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CAMPAIGN RECEIPTS · 2021–2027 TERM
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Richard Joseph Durbin

Democratic·IL·Senate
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Ranking
  • among Democratic senators40th of 50
  • among all senators99th of 115
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Four promises that define the record

Promises that define the record.

Four promises chosen to span how voters across the political spectrum view this politician's record.

KeptJudiciaryPROMISE #1

Confirm Biden judicial nominees.

Verified
Verdict reasoning

As Judiciary chair 2021-2025, oversaw confirmation of Justice Jackson + approximately 235 lower-court judges.

PartialLaw & OrderPROMISE #2

Reform mass incarceration / sentencing.

Verified
Verdict reasoning

First Step Act (2018, Durbin YES). EQUAL Act (eliminating crack/powder sentencing disparity) passed House but failed Senate.

BrokenImmigrationPROMISE #3

Pass DACA / Dreamer protections.

Verified
Verdict reasoning

DREAM Act introduced by Durbin in multiple Congresses since 2001 — never passed. DACA program continues under executive action; courts have repeatedly upheld but the program lacks statutory grounding.

KeptClimatePROMISE #4

Climate action.

Verified
Verdict reasoning

Voted YES on IRA.

Every other promise on file

All tracked promises

#5
KeptHealthcare

Lower drug prices.

IRA negotiation (Durbin YES).

#6
PartialReproductive Rights

Defend reproductive rights.

WHPA cloture failed.

#7
BrokenVoting Rights

Restore voting rights.

Cloture failed.

#8
KeptInfrastructure

Pass infrastructure investment.

IIJA (Durbin YES).

#9
PartialGun Policy

Pass gun safety legislation.

BSCA passed (Durbin YES).

#10
KeptForeign Policy

Support Ukraine.

Voted YES on Ukraine aid.

#11
PartialCivil Rights

Pass Equality Act.

Cloture failed; RFMA passed.

#12
KeptJudiciary

Confirm well-qualified Supreme Court justices.

Voted YES on Justice Jackson. Voted NO on Trump-era SCOTUS picks citing process concerns.

#13
KeptJudiciary

Oversight of SCOTUS ethics.

As Judiciary chair, held SCOTUS ethics hearings on Thomas/Alito gifts and disclosures. Supreme Court Ethics Reform Act introduced; did not advance.

#14
You DecidePersonalInferred

Negotiate end-of-career legacy / mentor next leadership.

Durbin remains in Senate as elder statesman. Has not announced retirement. Whether his leadership transition has been adequate is contested.

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