{"politician":{"name":"Richard J. Durbin","slug":"richard-j-durbin-d000563"},"exportedAt":"2026-07-26T07:58:26.521Z","confidenceRule":"latest-matching-assessment, else max-assessment-confidence, else 0","promises":[{"id":"cmrpjprrw00rirbtr45iy34dc","text":"In a Senate floor speech after the Highland Park mass shooting, Durbin committed to join the effort to ban assault weapons: \"After Highland Park, count me in. I want to be on the record of saying it's time to put an end to these assault rifles, these weapons of war, which have sadly taken so many innocent lives...\"","topic":"Gun policy / assault weapons","status":"CHAMPIONED","significance":3,"sources":"https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-calls-on-senate-to-ban-military-style-assault-weapons-following-highland-park-hearing | https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/releases/durbin-joins-schumer-in-attempt-to-pass-the-assault-weapons-ban-on-the-senate-floor | https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-calls-on-senate-to-ban-assault-weapons-from-civilian-use | https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-joins-schumer-in-attempt-to-pass-the-assault-weapons-ban-on-the-senate-floor","latestAssessment":"CHAMPIONED","assessmentConfidence":"86%","resolvedConfidence":0.86,"weight":2.58,"assessments":[{"id":"cmrr7z2d601pw2man3h09ut9g","status":"CHAMPIONED","method":"FACT_CHECKER","confidence":0.86,"createdAt":"2026-07-19T03:11:53.274Z"}],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:05:02.684Z"},{"id":"cmrpjpqdz00r6rbtrcy9tovxt","text":"As a lead Senate sponsor of the PRESS Act (a federal journalist shield law protecting reporters from being compelled to reveal their sources), Durbin committed to keep advancing it: \"I will continue to work with my colleagues to see this bill advance.\"","topic":"Press freedom / journalist shield law","status":"ATTEMPTED","significance":3,"sources":"https://rollcall.com/2024/09/26/press-shield-reporters-sources-senate/ | https://www.democrats.senate.gov/news/press-releases/majority-leader-schumer-floor-remarks-as-senate-republican-blocks-passage-of-the-bipartisan-press-act","latestAssessment":"ATTEMPTED","assessmentConfidence":"65%","resolvedConfidence":0.65,"weight":1.9500000000000002,"assessments":[{"id":"cmrrxk3jq015mb3zqwjecddbh","status":"ATTEMPTED","method":"FACT_CHECKER","confidence":0.65,"createdAt":"2026-07-19T15:08:04.983Z"}],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:05:00.888Z"},{"id":"cmrpjpp1y00qurbtrkvsablm4","text":"After the EQUAL Act compromise (to eliminate the federal crack-vs-powder cocaine sentencing disparity) was left out of the 2022 omnibus, Durbin committed to keep advocating for it: \"I will continue to work with Senator Booker in advocating for this historic legislation—legislation that will help reform our criminal justice system to better live up to the ideals of true justice and equality under the law.\"","topic":"Criminal justice reform / sentencing","status":"FULL","significance":3,"sources":"https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-statement-on-exclusion-of-equal-act-compromise-in-omnibus-appropriations-bill- | https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-durbin-armstrong-jeffries-announce-re-introduction-of-bipartisan-legislation-to-eliminate-federal-crack-and-powder-cocaine-sentencing-disparity | https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-booker-armstrong-jeffries-announce-reintroduction-of-bipartisan-legislation-to-eliminate-federal-crack-and-powder-cocaine-sentencing-disparity | https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/524/text","latestAssessment":"FULL","assessmentConfidence":"90%","resolvedConfidence":0.9,"weight":2.7,"assessments":[{"id":"cmrrvp772003w7k4u7gsmxnm6","status":"FULL","method":"FACT_CHECKER","confidence":0.9,"createdAt":"2026-07-19T14:16:03.759Z"}],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:04:59.158Z"},{"id":"cmrpjpnq800qirbtr4hk3jt6x","text":"During a visit with health-care leaders in Springfield, Durbin committed to keep working against Medicaid cuts and high drug costs: \"I'll continue fighting to protect Medicaid and lower the cost of prescription drugs for Illinoisans.\"","topic":"Healthcare / Medicaid & drug prices","status":"NOT_YET_RATED","significance":3,"sources":"https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-joins-health-care-leaders-to-discuss-cost-of-prescription-drugs-and-republican-cuts-to-medicaid","latestAssessment":"","assessmentConfidence":"","resolvedConfidence":0,"weight":0,"assessments":[],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:04:57.441Z"},{"id":"cmrpjpmlu00q6rbtrz8465g7f","text":"On the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling, Durbin committed to use his Judiciary Committee chairmanship to spotlight post-Roe restrictions on reproductive health: \"I'm committed, as Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee...to highlight how dangerous and extreme the reproductive health landscape has become for women and their loved ones.\"","topic":"Reproductive rights","status":"FULL","significance":3,"sources":"https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-the-two-year-anniversary-of-the-dobbs-ruling-durbin-recommits-to-protecting-womens-reproductive-freedom | https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/dem/releases/senate-judiciary-committee-announces-accomplishments-under-chair-durbin | https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/dem/releases/durbin-statement-on-senate-republicans-voting-against-nationwide-ivf-protections-for-the-second-time | https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/dem/releases/durbin-statement-on-the-third-anniversary-of-the-dobbs-ruling | https://www.npr.org/2024/09/17/g-s1-23414/senate-republicans-block-ivf-legislation","latestAssessment":"FULL","assessmentConfidence":"75%","resolvedConfidence":0.75,"weight":2.25,"assessments":[{"id":"cmrrxjecn00w7b3zqhcwmapqm","status":"FULL","method":"FACT_CHECKER","confidence":0.75,"createdAt":"2026-07-19T15:07:32.328Z"}],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:04:55.986Z"},{"id":"cmrpjplkp00purbtr2f23qa2y","text":"Pressing to pass his Credit Card Competition Act (which would require large card-issuing banks to offer at least two network options to process credit transactions, aimed at the Visa-Mastercard duopoly), Durbin pledged to keep siding with consumers and merchants over the card industry: \"I will always choose Main Street over Wall Street.\"","topic":"Consumer finance / credit card swipe fees","status":"CHAMPIONED","significance":3,"sources":"https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-urges-the-senate-to-bring-his-credit-card-competition-act-to-the-floor-for-a-vote | https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-marshall-reintroduce-the-credit-card-competition-act | https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/durbin-senate-congress-credit-card-competition-act-bill/744490/ | https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-urges-senate-colleagues-to-support-his-bipartisan-credit-card-competition-act","latestAssessment":"CHAMPIONED","assessmentConfidence":"90%","resolvedConfidence":0.9,"weight":2.7,"assessments":[{"id":"cmrrvtb2j01mt7k4uws1dpkd9","status":"CHAMPIONED","method":"FACT_CHECKER","confidence":0.9,"createdAt":"2026-07-19T14:19:15.403Z"}],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:04:54.649Z"},{"id":"cmrpjpkmq00pirbtrzk55wuqr","text":"On introducing the Equality Act during Pride Month, Durbin committed to continue pushing the bill: \"I will keep pushing for passage of the Equality Act to ensure that LGBTQ+ Americans are fully protected under our nation's civil rights laws.\"","topic":"LGBTQ+ civil rights","status":"FULL","significance":3,"sources":"https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/during-pride-month-durbin-and-duckworth-join-merkley-baldwin-booker-to-introduce-the-equality-act | https://www.merkley.senate.gov/merkley-takano-lead-reintroduction-of-historic-equality-act-to-ban-discrimination-against-lgbtq-americans/ | https://www.commercial-news.com/news/state_news/duckworth-durbin-reintroduction-equality-act-to-ban-discrimination-against-lgbtq-americans/article_ba7e2a82-6eca-4738-9588-fc87e3aaf857.html | https://www.yahoo.com/news/duckworth-durbin-reintroduction-equality-act-192000861.html","latestAssessment":"FULL","assessmentConfidence":"85%","resolvedConfidence":0.85,"weight":2.55,"assessments":[{"id":"cmrrvsj5401cf7k4ucoolgygo","status":"FULL","method":"FACT_CHECKER","confidence":0.85,"createdAt":"2026-07-19T14:18:39.209Z"}],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:04:53.427Z"},{"id":"cmrpjpjow00p6rbtrbpx8nlr1","text":"Durbin committed to vote against the Republican SAVE Act, which would change voter-registration rules: \"I will vote no on this attack on our sacred right to vote.\"","topic":"Voting rights","status":"NOT_YET_RATED","significance":3,"sources":"https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-slams-republicans-save-america-act","latestAssessment":"","assessmentConfidence":"","resolvedConfidence":0,"weight":0,"assessments":[],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:04:52.209Z"},{"id":"cmrpjpirk00ourbtrf233vkl7","text":"Durbin committed to sponsor a renewed federal assault weapons ban: \"That is why I am signing on to the bicameral Assault Weapons Ban of 2025, which would revitalize a nationwide ban on assault-style weapons and protect our communities from mass shootings.\" The bill would prohibit the sale, transfer, manufacture, and import of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.","topic":"Gun policy / assault weapons","status":"NOT_YET_RATED","significance":4,"sources":"https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-duckworth-colleagues-reintroduce-assault-weapons-ban","latestAssessment":"","assessmentConfidence":"","resolvedConfidence":0,"weight":0,"assessments":[],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:04:51.008Z"},{"id":"cmrpjphvm00oirbtr97zv2p4s","text":"Announcing he would not seek re-election in 2026, Durbin committed to remaining fully active for the rest of his term: \"I will do everything in my power to fight for Illinois and the future of our country every day of my remaining time in the Senate.\"","topic":"Public service / remaining term","status":"NOT_YET_RATED","significance":3,"sources":"https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-announces-he-will-not-seek-re-election-in-2026","latestAssessment":"","assessmentConfidence":"","resolvedConfidence":0,"weight":0,"assessments":[],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:04:49.859Z"},{"id":"cmrpjph1c00o6rbtrlz9tsesh","text":"Durbin pledged to keep fighting to pass the Dream Act, telling Dreamers he would work for their path to citizenship: \"I promise to do everything in my power to fight for you and your future every day.\" He made the pledge while reintroducing the Dream Act of 2025 (with Sen. Murkowski), which would let undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children earn lawful permanent residence and eventual citizenship if they meet education, work, or military and background-check requirements.","topic":"Immigration / Dreamers","status":"NOT_YET_RATED","significance":4,"sources":"https://www.durbin.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/durbin-murkowski-introduce-the-dream-act","latestAssessment":"","assessmentConfidence":"","resolvedConfidence":0,"weight":0,"assessments":[],"createdAt":"2026-07-17T23:04:48.769Z"}]}