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 — 789
Yes34%
No63%
Present0%
Not Voting3%
Party align93%
Cross-party6%
SoupScore
District Map

Senate District (Statewide)

U.S. Census Bureau boundary data.
Richard J. Durbin headshot
Richard J. Durbin
U.S. SenatorDemocratIllinois
SoupScore
Richard J.'s ATmosphere Activity
20 recent posts · 127 sponsored · 341 cosponsored
View profile

Recent ATmosphere posts, sponsorships, and cosponsorships.

For-profit colleges charge higher tuition than public universities, resulting in higher amounts of student debt. According to the Federal Reserve, students who attend for-profit institutions take on more student debt and are more likely to default on their student loans.
They falsely advertise a high-quality degree and well-paying job. But in reality, these predatory schools offer students a low-quality, high-cost education that too often leaves them with student debt but no degree.
For more than a decade, I’ve sounded the alarm about for-profit colleges’ long history of deceiving students. That warning is especially true for low-income students and students of color.
I am a strong advocate for postsecondary education. However, not all postsecondary institutions offer the same quality of education, job prospects, or potential to pay down student debt.
High school seniors are finalizing their plans after graduation. I’m reaching out to principals, counselors, and teachers with a simple message: Sound the alarm on for-profit colleges. Here’s why. 🧵
Scott Air Force Base is an incredible asset both to Illinois and our national security. I met with leaders and service members there to discuss how to best support their work that ensures our nation’s military readiness.
And the Trump Administration is LYING about why… claiming these programs are “wasteful” and “costly.”   SINCE ITS INCEPTION, nonpartisan studies have consistently shown legal education programs to be effective and efficient.
These programs are popular.   They’re bipartisan.   They’re longstanding.   And in some cases, they’re the only lifeline that those encountering our immigration system have.
The Trump Administration just canceled funding for know-your-rights trainings and legal education.   Every American should care about this.   An attack on ONE person’s due process rights is an attack on ALL of our due process rights.
NEWS: Medicaid Managed Care Organization funds helped 87 child care facilities in Cook County receive permanently mounted water filters, lead-free water fountains, or lead pipe replacements from Elevate. 

I'll continue to support bringing clean, lead-free drinking water to children in IL.
Today I visited the newly opened Wedge Innovation Center in Alton—a dynamic hub for digital innovation and community impact. Excited to join local leaders and @SIUE for a discussion on how this cutting-edge space will drive economic growth across the Metro East.
Antitrust enforcement helps keep grocery prices lower and tech companies accountable. The Trump Administration is trying to close these critical offices, including in Chicago. We need to bolster enforcement—not shutter it.
BREAKING: Sens. DURBIN, GRASSLEY, LEE urge the Justice Department to reverse course on plans to shut down vital antitrust field offices, in new bipartisan push.
Elon Musk and the Trump Admin continue to make it more difficult for beneficiaries to access critical information and services from the Social Security Administration. This move will leave many seniors who depend on Social Security completely in the dark.
I joined @klobuchar.senate.gov in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer for answers on Trump’s tariffs. We must protect agriculture trade relationships for IL farmers.
Sec. RFK Jr. has a responsibility to protecting our nation’s health. Instead, his decisions are putting the health and well-being of Illinoisans at risk. We’re demanding answers.
Dismantling HHS does NOT Make America Healthy Again. I led a letter with @duckworth.senate.gov and the IL Democratic Delegation to HHS Sec. RFK Jr. expressing our concerns over actions to cut staff, dismantle health agencies, and terminate federal funds for state's public health programs.
This is the language of dictatorships. Americans have a right to comment on regulations that affect their health and safety. President Trump can’t just defy the Administrative Procedure Act.
Parents should have the piece of mind knowing that schools have trained personnel to look out for their child's food allergy. I introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure school food personnel are well-equipped to prevent, recognize, and respond to a food-related allergic reaction.
SoupScore Breakdown
Loading analysis metrics…
Voting History
789 total votes
ExpandCollapse

Recent roll calls with party-majority context so it is easier to scan how this member tends to vote.

DateBillQuestionPositionParty MajAlign?Result
2026-05-20Confirm nomineeNONONomination Confirmed (52-47)
2026-05-19S.J. Res. 185 (119th)Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 185YESYESMotion to Discharge Agreed to (50-47)
2026-05-19End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (50-47)
2026-05-19Confirm nomineeYESNONomination Confirmed (52-38)
2026-05-19End debateYESNOCloture Motion Agreed to (57-38)
2026-05-18S. Res. 690 (119th)Confirm nomineeNOT_VOTINGNONomination Confirmed (46-43)
2026-05-14S. Res. 690 (119th)End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (51-46)
2026-05-13S.J. Res. 130 (119th)Begin considerationYESYESMotion to Proceed Rejected (47-53)
2026-05-13S.J. Res. 141 (119th)Begin considerationYESYESMotion to Proceed Rejected (50-50)
2026-05-13S.J. Res. 132 (119th)Begin considerationYESYESMotion to Proceed Rejected (48-52)
2026-05-13Confirm nomineeNONONomination Confirmed (54-45)
2026-05-13S. Res. 526 (119th)End filibuster to begin debateYESYESCloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to (99-0, 3/5 majority required)
2026-05-13S.J. Res. 163 (119th)Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 163YESYESMotion to Discharge Rejected (49-50)
2026-05-12End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (51-45)
2026-05-12Confirm nomineeNONONomination Confirmed (51-45)
2026-05-11End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (49-44)
2026-05-11S. Res. 690 (119th)Approve resolutionNONOResolution Agreed to (46-45)
2026-04-30S.J. Res. 184 (119th)Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 184YESYESMotion to Discharge Rejected (47-50)
2026-04-30S. Res. 690 (119th)End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (51-46)
2026-04-29S.J. Res. 99 (119th)Begin considerationYESYESMotion to Proceed Rejected (47-50)
2026-04-29S.J. Res. 139 (119th)Begin considerationYESYESMotion to Proceed Rejected (46-52)
2026-04-29Confirm nomineeNONONomination Confirmed (59-39)
2026-04-28S.J. Res. 124 (119th)Point of Order S.J.Res. 124NONOPoint of Order Well Taken (51-47)
2026-04-28S. Res. 690 (119th)Begin considerationNONOMotion to Proceed Agreed to (52-47)
2026-04-27End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (54-37)
2026-04-23S. Con. Res. 33 (119th)Accept House changesNONOConcurrent Resolution Agreed to (50-48)
2026-04-23S. Con. Res. 33 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESYESAmendment Rejected (49-49)
2026-04-23S. Con. Res. 33 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESYESAmendment Rejected (48-50)
2026-04-23Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Padilla Amdt. No. 4855)YESYESMotion Rejected (46-52, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-23Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Sanders Amdt. No. 5159)YESYESMotion Rejected (49-49, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-23S. Con. Res. 33 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESYESAmendment Rejected (46-52)
2026-04-23S. Con. Res. 33 (119th)Vote on amendmentNONOAmendment Rejected (25-73)
2026-04-23Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Markey Amdt. No. 5001)YESYESMotion Rejected (48-50, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-23Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Hawley Amdt. No. 4794)NONOMotion Rejected (50-48, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-23Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Kennedy Amdt. No. 5414)NONOMotion Rejected (48-50, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-22Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Alsobrooks Amdt. No. 5294)YESYESMotion Rejected (47-51, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-22Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Hickenlooper Amdt. No. 4956)YESYESMotion Rejected (47-51, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-22Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Hirono Amdt. No. 4884)YESYESMotion Rejected (48-50, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-22S. Con. Res. 33 (119th)Vote on amendmentYESYESAmendment Agreed to (98-0)
2026-04-22Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Ossoff Amdt. No. 4897)YESYESMotion Rejected (49-49, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-22Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Lujan Amdt. No. 4798)YESYESMotion Rejected (47-50, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-22Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Schumer Amdt. No. 4799)YESYESMotion Rejected (48-50, 3/5 majority required)
2026-04-22S.J. Res. 114 (119th)Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 114YESYESMotion to Discharge Rejected (46-51)
2026-04-21S. Con. Res. 33 (119th)Begin considerationNONOMotion to Proceed Agreed to (52-46)
2026-04-20Confirm nomineeNONONomination Confirmed (47-46)
2026-04-16End debateNONOCloture Motion Agreed to (49-48)
2026-04-16H.J. Res. 140 (119th)Approve resolutionNONOJoint Resolution Passed (50-49)
2026-04-15H.J. Res. 140 (119th)Begin considerationNONOMotion to Proceed Agreed to (51-49)
2026-04-15H.J. Res. 140 (119th)Kill the motionNONOMotion to Table Agreed to (51-48)
2026-04-15S.J. Res. 138 (119th)Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 138YESYESMotion to Discharge Rejected (36-63)

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.

Page 1 / 16Next →