Major Controversies Surrounding Dick Durbin: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Dick Durbin—discover key moments of controversy.

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

2002: Durbin Claims Knowledge of Bush Administration Misleading on Iraq War

On April 25, 2007, Dick Durbin said that as an intelligence committee member he knew in 2002 from classified information that the Bush Administration was misleading the American people into a war on Iraq, but could not reveal this due to secrecy obligations.

2004: Barred from receiving communion in Springfield Diocese

In 2004, Dick Durbin, a Roman Catholic, was barred from receiving communion by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois because he voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

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.

April 25, 2007: Durbin Claims Knowledge of Bush Administration Misleading on Iraq War

2008: Durbin Blames Banks for Financial Crisis

In an April 27, 2009 interview, Dick Durbin stated that banks were responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and that the banking lobby holds significant power on Capitol Hill.

April 27, 2009: Durbin Blames Banks for Financial Crisis

In an April 27, 2009 interview, Dick Durbin stated that banks were responsible for the 2008 financial crisis and that the banking lobby holds significant power on Capitol Hill.

2010: Durbin Cosponsors Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act

In 2010, Dick Durbin cosponsored and passed from committee the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, a bill to combat media piracy by blacklisting websites. The bill faced opposition due to concerns about First Amendment rights and censorship.

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.

2014: Reported conflicts of interest involving wife's lobbying work

In 2014, the Chicago Tribune reported potential conflicts of interest involving Dick Durbin's wife's lobbying work, noting that some of her clients had received federal funding promoted by Durbin.

2017: Criticized for questioning Amy Coney Barrett about "orthodox Catholic" terminology

In 2017, Dick Durbin was criticized for requesting clarification from Court of Appeals nominee Amy Coney Barrett during her Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing about her self-descriptive terminology "orthodox Catholic," suggesting it might unfairly characterize other Catholics.

July 2018: Called for Kirstjen Nielsen's Resignation

In July 2018, Dick Durbin stated that Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen should resign over the Trump administration family separation policy.

2018: Bishop affirmed the decision to deny Durbin communion

In 2018, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki affirmed the 2004 decision to deny Dick Durbin communion in the Springfield Diocese after Durbin's vote against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

August 2019: Signed letter responding to Novartis falsifying data for Zolgensma approval

In August 2019, Dick Durbin, along with other Senate Democrats, signed a letter to the FDA Commissioner in response to Novartis falsifying data to gain approval for its gene therapy Zolgensma, calling the actions "unconscionable".

September 2020: Voted to Confirm Judges

In September 2020, Dick Durbin voted to confirm judges Stephen McGlynn and David W. Dugan to lifetime appointments to the federal judiciary in Illinois.

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.

2022: Opposed Overturning of Roe v. Wade

In 2022, Dick Durbin opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade, expressing concern over the reduction of rights for Americans.

November 2023: Called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war

In November 2023, Dick Durbin was the first U.S. senator to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza war.

March 2025: Voted to pass a continuing resolution advancing the Trump administration's spending bill

In March 2025, Dick 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 and House Democrats.