Major Controversies Surrounding Dick Durbin: A Detailed Timeline

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

Richard Joseph "Dick" Durbin is the senior United States Senator from Illinois, serving since 1997. A Democrat, he has been the Senate Democratic Whip since 2005, and Senate minority whip since 2025. He previously chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2021 to 2025, where he notably led the Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court nomination hearings. Durbin is currently serving his fifth Senate term.

Sections (5)

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

1982: Benefited from Donations by Pro-Israel Groups

In 1982, during his campaign, Dick Durbin benefited from donations by pro-Israel groups, particularly AIPAC, which opposed Paul Findley's advocacy for the Palestine Liberation Organization.

2004: Barred from Communion by 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, raising controversies.

June 14, 2005: Durbin Compares Guantanamo Interrogation Techniques to Nazi Germany and Soviet Union

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 such as Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and the Khmer Rouge.

June 21, 2005: Durbin Apologizes for Guantanamo Bay Remarks

On June 21, 2005, Dick Durbin apologized before the Senate for his earlier remarks regarding Guantanamo Bay, stating, "More than most people, a senator lives by his words ... occasionally words fail us, occasionally we will fail words."

2005: Durbin's Guantanamo Bay Remarks

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's Misleading Information 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 oaths.

October 2007: Opposed Bill Allowing More 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 whether building more casinos was the right future for Illinois.

April 27, 2009: Durbin Blames Banks for Financial Crisis

In an April 27, 2009, interview with WJJG talk radio host Ray Hanania, Dick Durbin stated that banks were responsible for the 2007-2008 financial crisis. He also commented on the power of the banking lobby 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 aimed at combating media piracy by blacklisting websites. Opponents argued that this bill violated First Amendment rights and promoted censorship.

April 2013: Chaired Hearing on Targeted Killings and Use of Drones

In April 2013, Dick Durbin chaired a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on the moral, legal, and constitutional issues surrounding targeted killings and the use of drones. He expressed concerns about undermining counterterrorism efforts if the benefits and costs of targeted killings were not carefully measured.

July 2014: Americas PAC Attacks Durbin's Staff Salaries

In July 2014, Americas PAC, a conservative Political Action Committee, released a radio advertisement attacking Dick Durbin's staff salaries. The attack was based on a Washington Times article alleging female staff members earned $11,000 less annually than male staffers. Durbin's lawyers claimed the information was false and threatened the radio stations with liability.

2014: Reported Conflicts of Interest with Wife's Lobbying Clients

In 2014, the Chicago Tribune reported potential conflicts of interest involving Dick Durbin and his wife, a lobbyist, noting that some of her clients received federal funding promoted by Durbin.

2017: Criticized for Questioning Amy Coney Barrett About Religious Beliefs

In 2017, Dick Durbin faced criticism for questioning Court of Appeals nominee Amy Coney Barrett during her confirmation hearing about her self-described terminology "orthodox Catholic." He expressed concern that such terminology might unfairly characterize Catholics who may not agree with the church's positions about abortion or the death penalty.

July 2018: Called for Kirstjen Nielsen's Resignation

In July 2018, Dick Durbin said Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen should resign over the Trump administration family separation policy, calling it cruel and inconsistent with national values.

December 2018: Letter Expressing Concern Over INF Treaty Suspension

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

2018: Bishop Affirmed Decision to Deny Durbin Communion

In 2018, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki affirmed the decision to deny Dick Durbin communion in the Springfield Diocese after Durbin's vote against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, reaffirming his position on abortion rights and his complicated relationship with the Church.

August 2019: Signed Letter Regarding Novartis Falsifying Data for Zolgensma Approval

In August 2019, Dick Durbin, along with other Senate Democrats and Bernie Sanders, signed a letter to the FDA Commissioner responding to Novartis falsifying data to gain approval for its gene therapy Zolgensma, calling it "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, also calling for Trump's removal from office.

2022: Opposed Overturning of Roe v. Wade

In 2022, Dick Durbin opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade, stating that it reduced the rights of millions of Americans.

November 2023: Called for a Ceasefire in the Gaza War

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

March 2025: Voted to Pass Continuing Resolution Advancing 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 constituents.