Richard J. Durbin headshot
At a Glance
Seat
U.S. Senator from Illinois
Born
November 21, 1944
Age 81
Phone
(202) 224-2152
Office
711 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510, Washington 20515
Congress Member Profile|U.S. Senator|Democrat|Illinois

Richard J. Durbin

Richard Joseph Durbin is an American politician and attorney serving as the senior United States senator from the state of Illinois, a seat he has held since 1997. A member of the Democratic Party, Durbin is in his fifth Senate term and has served since 2005 as the Senate Democratic Whip and since 2025 as the Senate minority whip. He is the longest-serving Democratic whip since the position was established in 1913. Durbin chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2021 to 2025, and led the Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court nomination hearings.

Source: WikipediaView full (CC BY-SA)
Voting Record — 783
Yes34%
No64%
Present0%
Not Voting3%
Party align93%
Cross-party6%
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District Map

Senate District (Statewide)

U.S. Census Bureau boundary data.
Richard J. Durbin headshot
Richard J. Durbin
U.S. SenatorDemocratIllinois
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Richard J.'s ATmosphere Activity
20 recent posts · 124 sponsored · 336 cosponsored
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Recent ATmosphere posts, sponsorships, and cosponsorships.

After repeatedly being snubbed and humiliated by Putin, President Trump and Steve Witkoff should first pressure Russia to stop relentlessly bombing Ukraine, return thousands of abducted children, and end their sabotage across NATO member nations.
Breaking news: The White House is pressuring Ukraine to sign on to its new peace proposal by Thanksgiving or lose U.S. support to the country, according to officials familiar with the talks.
Earlier this week, I spoke with Illinois air traffic controllers who made it clear that Congress must do more to support their important work. Today, I cosponsored two bills that would remove barriers to mental health care and medication guidance for ATCs.
It’s dangerous and despicable that the President has threatened to hang members of a co-equal branch of government for releasing a video he disagrees with. This isn’t normal. We must continue to make our voices heard and condemn all threats of political violence.
Rural kids need champions—they have a great one in Jennifer Garner. I’ll always push the cause in Congress, and my friend Jennifer will push the cause on and off the screen. Fund Head Start.
A militiaman convicted of illegally possessing firearms. A woman who told FBI agents she’d “shoot your f***ing a**.” Donald Trump is protecting violent MAGA supporters—not YOU.
A militiaman convicted of illegally possessing firearms. A woman who told FBI agents she’d “shoot your f***ing a**.” Donald Trump is protecting violent MAGA supporters—not YOU.
Sen. DURBIN: Just like the demolished East Wing, Donald Trump is taking a wrecking ball to our democracy. After Donald Trump’s blanket pardon of January 6th insurrectionists, he’s pardoning this group for unrelated crimes.
When Americans are at the grocery store, they shouldn’t have to worry about what food might make them sick. I introduced the FSMA Fee Technical Corrections Act to provide FDA with additional financial support to prevent foodborne illnesses & respond to outbreaks.
Service members shouldn’t be met with bureaucratic roadblocks that make it harder for them to pay back their student loans. I introduced the Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act to ensure that members of the military are not penalized for using the PSLF program.
Republicans already tried to ban states’ ability to regulate AI in their Big, Ugly Bill. That ban was voted down 99-1. Their new political maneuver would be a free pass to Big Tech, and it must be stopped again.
Republicans already tried to ban states’ ability to regulate AI in their Big, Ugly Bill. That ban was voted down 99-1. Their new political maneuver would be a free pass to Big Tech, and it must be stopped again.
BREAKING: House Republicans are trying to sneak a BAN on states regulating artificial intelligence into the NDAA, a disastrous idea that would make tech platforms even more dangerous for kids.
Yesterday, I met with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers to discuss pressing labor issues and my work to expand job training opportunities for dislocated workers and underserved youth. I strongly support our nation’s unions and the community and job protections they provide.
America is tired of political games protecting close associates of child sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein. Leader Thune must put the House’s bill to force the release of the Epstein files on the Senate Calendar for a vote.
Victims deserve to see real accountability for Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s horrific crimes. That includes releasing the FULL Epstein files while protecting victims’ privacy. Leader Thune must immediately place this bill on the Senate Calendar for a vote.
BREAKING: House overwhelmingly votes in support of forcing the Justice Department to release the Epstein files, which has mired the Trump Administration in controversy.
With energy prices on the rise, homeowners and businesses should be rewarded when they turn off their lights or unplug their devices. I introduced the REDUCE Act to put money back in the pockets of Americans who are doing their part to conserve energy.
Pardoning crypto criminals. Coddling January 6th rioters. Purging career prosecutors. Firing FBI agents. Lining his pockets with $230 million in taxpayer money. All while the American people grapple with high costs. Corrupt.
Sen. DURBIN: Donald Trump has turned federal law enforcement into a shield for his and his cronies’ misconduct and corruption—and a sword to attack his political opponents.
Here are just a few ideas: Release political prisoners like Waleed Abu al-Khair. Let Raif Badawi reunite with his family in Canada. Improve conditions and protections for vulnerable populations such as foreign workers and religious minorities.
It’s a shame to see the power of congressional oversight used to politically target an individual local prosecutor simply upholding the rule of law. Nothing more than doing President Trump’s political bidding—because it suits a radical ideology.
BREAKING: MAGA extremist House Judiciary Chair is misusing Committee oversight authority to bully local prosecutor, while ignoring the unprecedented weaponization at DOJ and the FBI.
FBI Director Patel refused to respond to whistleblower reports that people failed polygraph tests at the FBI. Now we know why.
Sen. DURBIN: Why do you require polygraph exams for FBI employees asking if they’ve made negative comments about you? Patel: I’m not responding. Durbin: Did anyone receive disqualifying alerts? Patel: *dodges* Durbin: Did you give any waivers? Patel: I’ll get back to you.
This is deeply alarming. Senior FBI officials receive some of the most sensitive information in government. Signing personal waivers to appoint unqualified senior officials puts our national security at grave risk.
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Voting History
783 total votes
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Recent roll calls with party-majority context so it is easier to scan how this member tends to vote.

DateBillQuestionPositionParty MajAlign?Result
2025-10-22End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (52-45)
2025-10-22End debateYESNOCloture Motion Agreed to (60-39)
2025-10-22H.R. 5371 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (54-46, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-21Confirm nomineeNONONomination Confirmed (53-46)
2025-10-21End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (53-46)
2025-10-21End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (53-46)
2025-10-21Confirm nomineeYESNONomination Confirmed (66-32)
2025-10-20H.R. 5371 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (50-43, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-16H.R. 4016 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (50-44, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-16End debateYESNOCloture Motion Agreed to (62-34)
2025-10-16H.R. 5371 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (51-45, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-15H.R. 5371 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (51-44, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-14H.R. 5371 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (49-45, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09S. 2296 (119th)Final passageNOYESBill Passed (77-20, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09S. 2296 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESYESAmendment Rejected (47-50, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09S. 2296 (119th)Vote on amendmentNONOAmendment Rejected (10-88, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09S. 2296 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESYESAmendment Rejected (46-52, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09S. 2296 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESYESAmendment Rejected (47-50, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09S. 2296 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESYESAmendment Rejected (46-50, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09S. 2296 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESNOAmendment Rejected (51-46, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09S. 2296 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESNOAmendment Rejected (53-43, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09S. 2296 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESNOAmendment Rejected (14-83, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09Confirm nomineeNONONomination Confirmed (50-47)
2025-10-09H.J. Res. 106 (119th)Approve resolutionNONOJoint Resolution Passed (50-46)
2025-10-09H.J. Res. 106 (119th)Begin considerationNONOMotion to Proceed Agreed to (50-47)
2025-10-09H.R. 5371 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-09S. 2882 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateYESYESCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (47-50, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-08H.J. Res. 105 (119th)Approve resolutionNONOJoint Resolution Passed (50-45)
2025-10-08S.J. Res. 83 (119th)Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 83YESYESMotion to Discharge Rejected (48-51)
2025-10-08S.J. Res. 71 (119th)Approve resolutionYESYESJoint Resolution Defeated (47-51)
2025-10-08H.J. Res. 105 (119th)Begin considerationNONOMotion to Proceed Agreed to (51-47)
2025-10-08End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (50-47)
2025-10-08H.R. 5371 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-08S. 2882 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateYESYESCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (47-52, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-08H.J. Res. 104 (119th)Approve resolutionNONOJoint Resolution Passed (52-47)
2025-10-07H.J. Res. 104 (119th)Begin considerationNONOMotion to Proceed Agreed to (50-47)
2025-10-07S. Res. 412 (119th)Confirm nomineeNONONomination Confirmed (51-47)
2025-10-06S. Res. 412 (119th)End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (50-45)
2025-10-06H.R. 5371 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (52-42, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-06S. 2882 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateYESYESCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (45-50, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-03H.R. 5371 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (54-44, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-03S. 2882 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateYESYESCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (46-52, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-03S. Res. 412 (119th)Approve resolutionNONOResolution Agreed to (51-46)
2025-10-01S. Res. 412 (119th)End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (53-46)
2025-10-01Confirm nomineeNONONomination Confirmed (52-45)
2025-10-01End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (52-47)
2025-10-01H.R. 5371 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateNONOCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (55-45, 3/5 majority required)
2025-10-01S. 2882 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateYESYESCloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (47-53, 3/5 majority required)
2025-09-30H.R. 5371 (119th)Final passageNONOBill Defeated (55-45, 3/5 majority required)
2025-09-30S. 2882 (119th)Final passageYESYESBill Defeated (47-53, 3/5 majority required)

Alignment stats consider only votes where a clear yes/no majority existed for the legislator's party. Cross-party marks divergence where the vote matched the opposite party majority. ↔ indicates cross-party divergence.

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