Richard Durbin on Abortion

• Preserve women’s reproductive rights. (Mar 2008)
• Troubled that Alito 1985 memo shows closed mind on abortion. (Jan 2006)
• Doesn’t condemn converts to pro-choice, since he did. (Jan 2006)
• Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on barring HHS grants to organizations that perform abortions. (Oct 2007)
• Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
• Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
• Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004)
• Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003)
• Voted NO on maintaining ban on Military Base Abortions. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)
• Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004)
• Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)

Richard Durbin on Budget & Economy

• Voted NO on paying down federal debt by rating programs' effectiveness. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
• Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
• Voted NO on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)
• Require full disclosure about subprime mortgages. (Dec 2007)
• Reform mortgage rules to prevent foreclosure & bankruptcy. (Feb 2008)

Richard Durbin on Civil Rights

• Voted NO on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on constitutional ban of same-sex marriage. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
• Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
• Voted YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
• Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
• Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
• Rated 60% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Include special-needs people in emergency evacuation plans. (Sep 2005)
• Sponsored bill for a Rosa Parks commemorative postage stamp. (Dec 2005)
• Rated 89% by the HRC, indicating a pro-gay-rights stance. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 100% by the NAACP, indicating a pro-affirmative-action stance. (Dec 2006)
• Recognize Juneteenth as historical end of slavery. (Jun 2008)
• Provide benefits to domestic partners of Federal employees. (Dec 2007)
• Re-introduce the Equal Rights Amendment. (Mar 2007)
• Reinforce anti-discrimination and equal-pay requirements. (Jan 2008)

Richard Durbin on Corporations

• Voted YES on repealing tax subsidy for companies which move US jobs offshore. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on reforming bankruptcy to include means-testing & restrictions. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
• Rated 35% by the US COC, indicating a mixed business voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Screen imports & ban lead in children's products. (Feb 2008)

Richard Durbin on Crime

• Voted YES on reinstating $1.15 billion funding for the COPS Program. (Mar 2007)
• Voted YES on $1.15 billion per year to continue the COPS program. (May 1999)
• Voted NO on making federal death penalty appeals harder. (Feb 1995)
• Voted NO on replacing death penalty with life imprisonment. (Apr 1994)
• Rated 75% by CURE, indicating pro-rehabilitation crime votes. (Dec 2000)
• More funding and stricter sentencing for hate crimes. (Apr 2001)
• Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001)
• Increase funding for "COPS ON THE BEAT" program. (Jan 2007)
• Reduce recidivism by giving offenders a Second Chance. (Mar 2007)

Richard Durbin on Drugs

• Voted NO on increasing penalties for drug offenses. (Nov 1999)
• End harsher sentencing for crack vs. powder cocaine. (Jun 2007)
• Require chemical resellers to certify against meth use. (Sep 2007)

Richard Durbin on Education

• Voted YES on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects. (Oct 2007)
• Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on $5B for grants to local educational agencies. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
• Voted NO on Educational Savings Accounts. (Mar 2000)
• Voted NO on allowing more flexibility in federal school rules. (Mar 1999)
• Voted NO on education savings accounts. (Jun 1998)
• Voted NO on school vouchers in DC. (Sep 1997)
• Voted NO on giving federal aid only to schools allowing voluntary prayer. (Mar 1994)
• Rated 91% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
• Make employee educational assistance tax-deductible. (Jan 1993)

Richard Durbin on Energy & Oil

• Voted YES on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (Jun 2008)
• Voted YES on addressing CO2 emissions without considering India & China. (May 2008)
• Voted YES on removing oil & gas exploration subsidies. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on making oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on factoring global warming into federal project planning. (May 2007)
• Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's ANWR. (Nov 2005)
• Voted YES on $3.1B for emergency oil assistance for hurricane-hit areas. (Oct 2005)
• Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005)
• Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003)
• Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002)
• Voted NO on terminating CAFE standards within 15 months. (Mar 2002)
• Voted NO on preserving budget for ANWR oil drilling. (Apr 2000)
• Voted YES on ending discussion of CAFE fuel efficiency standards. (Sep 1999)
• Voted NO on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
• Voted NO on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)
• Include pickup trucks in CAFE; include hybrids in HOV lanes. (Feb 2002)
• Keep efficient air conditioner rule to conserve energy. (Mar 2004)
• Establish greenhouse gas tradeable allowances. (Feb 2005)
• Sponsored bill for tax credit for providing 85% ethanol gas. (Apr 2005)
• Sponsored bill to notify public when nuclear releases occur. (Mar 2006)
• Sponsored bill raising CAFE by a 4% per year until 2018. (Jul 2006)
• Rated 100% by the CAF, indicating support for energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. (Jan 2007)
• Designate sensitive ANWR area as protected wilderness. (Nov 2007)
• Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025. (Jan 2007)
• Let states define stricter-than-federal emission standards. (Jan 2008)

Richard Durbin on Environment

• Voted NO on prohibiting eminent domain for use as parks or grazing land. (Dec 2007)
• Voted YES on including oil & gas smokestacks in mercury regulations. (Sep 2005)
• Voted NO on confirming Gale Norton as Secretary of Interior. (Jan 2001)
• Voted NO on more funding for forest roads and fish habitat. (Sep 1999)
• Voted NO on transportation demo projects. (Mar 1998)
• Voted YES on reducing funds for road-building in National Forests. (Sep 1997)
• Support UNCED Rio Declaration at 2002 conference. (Jul 2002)
• Rated 89% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
• EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004)
• Establish commission to examine Katrina response. (Sep 2005)
• Sponsored health impact bill for environmental health. (Apr 2006)
• Grants for beach water pollution under Clean Water Act. (Apr 2008)
• Inter-state compact for Great Lakes water resources. (Jul 2008)
• Strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting. (Jan 2007)

Richard Durbin on Families & Children

• Voted NO on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999)
• Rated 0% by the Christian Coalition: an anti-family voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Ban high lead levels in children's toys. (Nov 2005)

Richard Durbin on Foreign Policy

• Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
• Voted YES on killing a bill for trade sanctions if China sells weapons. (Sep 2000)
• Voted NO on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)
• Voted NO on limiting NATO expansion to only Poland, Hungary & Czech. (Apr 1998)
• Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)
• Multi-year commitment to Africa for food & medicine. (Apr 2001)
• Monitor human rights in Uganda-Sudan crisis. (Aug 2004)
• Sponsored aid bill to avert humanitarian crisis in Congo. (Dec 2005)
• Suspend Russia's participation in the G-8. (Feb 2005)
• Impose sanctions and an import ban on Burma. (Oct 2007)
• Implement Darfur Peace Agreement with UN peacekeeping force. (Feb 2008)
• Seeds of Peace: promote coexistence in regions of conflict. (Apr 2008)
• Acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of the early 1900s. (Mar 2007)
• Condemn violence by Chinese government in Tibet. (Apr 2008)
• Sanction Mugabe until Zimbabwe transitions to democracy. (Apr 2008)

Richard Durbin on Free Trade

• Vigorous enforcement against unfair importation & dumping. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on promoting free trade with Peru. (Dec 2007)
• Voted NO on free trade agreement with Oman. (Jun 2006)
• Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
• Voted YES on establishing free trade between US & Singapore. (Jul 2003)
• Voted YES on establishing free trade between the US and Chile. (Jul 2003)
• Voted NO on extending free trade to Andean nations. (May 2002)
• Voted YES on granting normal trade relations status to Vietnam. (Oct 2001)
• Voted YES on removing common goods from national security export rules. (Sep 2001)
• Voted YES on permanent normal trade relations with China. (Sep 2000)
• Voted YES on expanding trade to the third world. (May 2000)
• Voted NO on renewing 'fast track' presidential trade authority. (Nov 1997)
• Rated 17% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
• Extend trade restrictions on Burma to promote democracy. (Jun 2007)
• Ban Argentine meat imports to avoid foot & mouth disease. (Jul 2008)

Richard Durbin on Government Reform

• Justices should not restrict our rights and freedoms. (Jan 2006)
• Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
• Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
• Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
• Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
• Voted NO on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
• Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on funding for National Endowment for the Arts. (Aug 1999)
• Voted YES on favoring 1997 McCain-Feingold overhaul of campaign finance. (Oct 1997)
• Reject photo ID requirements for voting. (Sep 2005)
• Post earmarks on the Internet before voting on them. (Jan 2006)
• Prohibit voter intimidation in federal elections. (Mar 2007)

Richard Durbin on Gun Control

• Voted NO on prohibiting foreign & UN aid that restricts US gun ownership. (Sep 2007)
• Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005)
• Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004)
• Voted YES on background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
• Voted NO on loosening license & background checks at gun shows. (May 1999)
• Voted NO on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
• Rated F by the NRA, indicating a pro-gun control voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Support tradition of hunting on wildlife refuges. (Aug 1994)

Richard Durbin on Health Care

• Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare. (Feb 2008)
• Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Nov 2007)
• Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
• Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
• Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
• Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
• Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
• Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
• Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
• Voted YES on including prescription drugs under Medicare. (Jun 2000)
• Voted NO on limiting self-employment health deduction. (Jul 1999)
• Voted YES on increasing tobacco restrictions. (Jun 1998)
• Voted NO on Medicare means-testing. (Jun 1997)
• Let states make bulk Rx purchases, and other innovations. (May 2003)
• Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)
• Establish a national childhood cancer database. (Mar 2007)
• Preserve access to Medicaid & SCHIP during economic downturn. (Apr 2008)
• Collect data on birth defects and present to the public. (Apr 1998)

Richard Durbin on Homeland Security

• Voted NO on cutting $221M in benefits to Filipinos who served in WWII US Army. (Apr 2008)
• Voted YES on requiring FISA court warrant to monitor US-to-foreign calls. (Feb 2008)
• Voted NO on removing need for FISA warrant for wiretapping abroad. (Aug 2007)
• Voted YES on limiting soldiers' deployment to 12 months. (Jul 2007)
• Voted YES on implementing the 9/11 Commission report. (Mar 2007)
• Voted YES on preserving habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on requiring CIA reports on detainees & interrogation methods. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006)
• Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's wiretap provision. (Dec 2005)
• Voted YES on restricting business with entities linked to terrorism. (Jul 2005)
• Voted YES on restoring $565M for states' and ports' first responders. (Mar 2005)
• Voted YES on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on allowing another round of military base closures. (May 1999)
• Voted NO on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)
• Voted NO on deploying National Missile Defense ASAP. (Mar 1999)
• Voted NO on military pay raise of 4.8%. (Feb 1999)
• Voted NO on prohibiting same-sex basic training. (Jun 1998)
• Voted NO on favoring 36 vetoed military projects. (Oct 1997)
• Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)
• Establish Maritime Security grants for ports and vessels. (Nov 2002)
• Federalize aviation security. (Nov 2001)
• Rated 100% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Hiding sources made post-9-11 analysis impossible. (Jul 2004)
• CIA depends too heavily on defectors & not enough on HUMINT. (Jul 2004)
• Administration did not pressure CIA on WMD conclusions. (Jul 2004)
• Address abuses of electronic monitoring in the workplace. (Apr 1993)
• Restore habeas corpus for detainees in the War on Terror. (Jun 2007)

Richard Durbin on Immigration

• Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
• Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)
• Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
• Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)
• Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
• Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
• Voted NO on allowing more foreign workers into the US for farm work. (Jul 1998)
• Voted NO on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
• Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
• Cover child resident aliens under Medicaid and SCHIP. (May 2005)
• Rated 8% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)

Richard Durbin on Jobs

• Voted YES on overriding presidential veto of Farm Bill. (Jun 2008)
• Voted NO on terminating legal challenges to English-only job rules. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on limiting farm subsidies to people earning under $750,000. (Dec 2007)
• Voted YES on restricting employer interference in union organizing. (Jun 2007)
• Voted YES on increasing minimum wage to $7.25. (Feb 2007)
• Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005)
• Voted NO on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001)
• Voted NO on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999)
• Voted NO on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997)
• Protect overtime pay protections. (Jun 2003)
• Rated 85% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Allow an Air Traffic Controller's Union. (Jan 2006)
• Extend unemployment compensation during recession. (Jan 2008)

Richard Durbin on Principles & Values

• Voted with Democratic Party 97.5% of 323 votes. (Sep 2007)
• Voted NO on confirming Samuel Alito as Supreme Court Justice. (Jan 2006)
• Voted NO on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
• Religious affiliation: Catholic. (Nov 2000)
• Rated 100% by the AU, indicating support of church-state separation. (Dec 2006)

Richard Durbin on Social Security

• Voted NO on establishing reserve funds & pre-funding for Social Security. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on Social Security Lockbox & limiting national debt. (Apr 1999)
• Voted NO on allowing Roth IRAs for retirees. (May 1998)
• Voted NO on allowing personal retirement accounts. (Apr 1998)
• Rated 90% by the ARA, indicating a pro-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)

Richard Durbin on Tax Reform

• Call on the wealthiest people to pay their fair share. (Mar 2008)
• Voted YES on increasing tax rate for people earning over $1 million. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on allowing AMT reduction without budget offset. (Mar 2008)
• Voted NO on raising the Death Tax exemption to $5M from $1M. (Feb 2008)
• Voted NO on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on raising estate tax exemption to $5 million. (Mar 2007)
• Voted NO on supporting permanence of estate tax cuts. (Aug 2006)
• Voted NO on permanently repealing the `death tax`. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on $47B for military by repealing capital gains tax cut. (Feb 2006)
• Voted NO on retaining reduced taxes on capital gains & dividends. (Feb 2006)
• Voted NO on extending the tax cuts on capital gains and dividends. (Nov 2005)
• Voted NO on $350 billion in tax breaks over 11 years. (May 2003)
• Voted YES on reducing marriage penalty instead of cutting top tax rates. (May 2001)
• Voted YES on increasing tax deductions for college tuition. (May 2001)
• Voted NO on eliminating the 'marriage penalty'. (Jul 2000)
• Voted NO on across-the-board spending cut. (Oct 1999)
• Voted NO on requiring super-majority for raising taxes. (Apr 1998)
• Rated 14% by NTU, indicating a "Big Spender" on tax votes. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 100% by the CTJ, indicating support of progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)

Richard Durbin on War & Peace

• Voted YES on redeploying non-essential US troops out of Iraq in 9 months. (Dec 2007)
• Voted YES on designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terrorists. (Sep 2007)
• Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
• Voted YES on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
• Voted YES on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
• Voted YES on $86 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)
• Voted NO on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)
• Voted YES on allowing all necessary force in Kosovo. (May 1999)
• Voted YES on authorizing air strikes in Kosovo. (Mar 1999)
• Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism. (Oct 2001)
• CIA mischaracterized Iraq WMD & abused intelligence position. (Jul 2004)
• Iraq-al-Qaida contacts, but no complicity or assistance. (Jul 2004)
• CIA knew State of the Union Iraq-Niger connection was false. (Jul 2004)
• Iraq was not reconstituting its nuclear program. (Jul 2004)
• Iraq was not developing its biological weapons program. (Jul 2004)
• Iraq was not developing its chemical weapons program. (Jul 2004)
• Iraq was developing missiles, but not to reach the US. (Jul 2004)
• No troop surge: no military escalation in Iraq. (Jan 2007)
• Deploy UN multinational peacekeeping force in Darfur. (Jul 2007)
• Require Congress' approval before military action in Iran. (Oct 2007)
• Move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. (Nov 1995)

Richard Durbin on Welfare & Poverty

• Establish a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. (Jul 2003)
• Tax credits to promite home ownership in distressed areas. (Apr 2003)
• Fully fund AmeriCorps. (Jun 2003)
• Develop a strategy to eliminate extreme global poverty. (Dec 2007)