Challenges Faced by Dick Durbin: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Dick Durbin's life and career.

Richard Joseph Durbin is the senior United States Senator from Illinois, serving since 1997. A Democrat, he has held the position of Senate Democratic whip since 2005, except for the period of 2025-present when he has been the Senate minority whip. Notably, he chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2021 to 2025, leading the Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court nomination hearings. Durbin is currently in his fifth Senate term.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1976: Unsuccessful Candidate for Illinois State Senate

In 1976, Dick Durbin was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the Illinois State Senate.

1978: Unsuccessful Run for Lieutenant Governor

In 1978, Dick Durbin made an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor of Illinois.

1978: Ran for lieutenant governor of Illinois

In 1978, Dick Durbin ran for lieutenant governor of Illinois as the running mate of Michael Bakalis, but they were defeated.

June 14, 2005: Durbin Compares Guantanamo Bay Interrogation Techniques to Those of Nazi Germany

On June 14, 2005, Dick Durbin compared interrogation techniques used at Camp X-Ray, Guantanamo Bay, as reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to those utilized by regimes like Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and the Khmer Rouge in the U.S. Senate chambers.

June 21, 2005: Durbin Apologizes for Guantanamo Bay Remarks

On June 21, 2005, Dick Durbin apologized before the Senate for his earlier remarks comparing Guantanamo Bay interrogation techniques to those of Nazi Germany, stating, "More than most people, a senator lives by his words ... occasionally words fail us, occasionally we will fail words."

2005: Durbin's Remarks on Guantanamo Bay

In 2005, Dick Durbin compared the U.S. treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base to atrocities committed by "Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime—Pol Pot or others—that had no concern for human beings." He later apologized to the military for his remarks.

October 2007: Opposed bill allowing new casinos in Illinois

In October 2007, Dick Durbin opposed a bill in the Illinois General Assembly that would allow three casinos to be built, questioning if more casinos were the future of Illinois.

April 2013: Chaired hearing on targeted killings and drone use

In April 2013, Dick Durbin chaired a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights regarding the moral, legal, and constitutional issues surrounding targeted killings and the use of drones, expressing concern about undermining counterterrorism efforts.

August 2013: Signed letter warning of predatory payday lenders

In August 2013, Dick Durbin was one of 23 Democratic senators to sign a letter to the Defense Department warning of predatory payday lenders offering high-interest loans to service members and advocating for stronger protections for military families.

July 2014: Attack on Durbin's Staff Salaries

In July 2014, Americas PAC released a radio advertisement attacking Durbin's staff salaries based on a Washington Times article claiming female staff members made less than male staffers. Durbin's lawyers claimed the information was false, while the radio station defended the ad's accuracy.

March 2018: Lambasted proposal to curb Lifeline program benefits

In March 2018, Dick Durbin was one of 10 senators to sign a letter criticizing FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's proposal to curb the scope of benefits from the Lifeline program, which provided high-speed internet access to poor communities, arguing it was Pai's obligation to ensure more Americans could afford communication services.

December 2018: Concern over abandoning nuclear arms negotiations

In December 2018, Dick Durbin was one of 26 senators who signed a letter expressing concern over the Trump administration's decision to suspend its obligations in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty if Russia continued to violate the treaty. The senators called on Trump to continue arms negotiations.

March 2019: Letter to Saudi Arabia requesting the release of human rights activists

In March 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 10 Democratic senators to sign a letter to Salman of Saudi Arabia requesting the release of human rights lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair, writer Raif Badawi, women's rights activists Loujain al-Hathloul and Samar Badawi, and Dr. Walid Fitaih, citing concerns over arbitrary detention and systematic discrimination.

April 2019: Signed letter encouraging Trump to reverse decision on foreign assistance

In April 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 34 senators to sign a letter to Trump encouraging him to reverse a decision that would damage national security and aggravate conditions inside Central America, asserting that Trump had a flawed understanding of U.S. foreign assistance.

April 2019: Expressed concern over CFPB activities related to federal student loan servicers

In April 2019, Dick Durbin was one of six senators to send CFPB director Kathy Kraninger a letter expressing concern that "CFPB leadership has abandoned its supervision and enforcement activities related to federal student loan servicers", displaying a "shocking disregard for the financial well-being of our nation's public servants".

July 2019: Letter Regarding Protections for Families of Service Members

In July 2019, Dick Durbin was one of 22 senators who signed a letter led by Tammy Duckworth. The letter addressed the Trump administration's intentions to end deportation protections for spouses, parents, and children of active-duty service members, arguing that the program allowed service members to focus on their duties without worrying about their families' deportation.

October 2019: Durbin Blocks Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act

In October 2019, Dick Durbin blocked the passage of S.386, known as the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act. This bill aimed to eliminate per-country numerical limitations for employment-based immigrants and increase the limits for family-sponsored immigrants.

2021: Participated in Electoral College vote count during Capitol attack

In 2021, Dick Durbin was participating in the United States Electoral College vote count when pro-Trump rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol. Durbin evacuated to a secure location and blamed Trump for the attack, calling for his removal.