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  3. Dick Durbin

DoTheySupportIt grades politicians on crypto from how they vote and what they say. How it works

profile picture of Dick Durbin

US Senator from Illinois

Does Dick Durbin Support Crypto?

Democrat

6 votes · 4 sponsorships · 48 statements

Latest · 2026-09-15Vote on CLARITY ActVery Anti-Crypto
  • @SenatorDurbin
  • @DickDurbin
  • durbin.senate.gov
F
Crypto grade
Very Anti-Crypto
Based on 58 stances

Based on previous comments, Dick Durbin has indicated they are very anti-cryptocurrency. Below you can view the tweets, quotes, and other commentary Dick Durbin has made about crypto.

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Full record

2026-09-15T00:00:00.000Z
Took stances on a bill between 2026-01-29T00:00:00.000Z and 2026-09-15T00:00:00.000Z
Bill
CLARITY Act
Details
The "Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025," or "CLARITY Act of 2025," establishes a regulatory framework for digital commodities, granting the CFTC exclusive jurisdiction over spot market transactions and related entities like exchanges, brokers, and dealers. It aims to differentiate digital commodities from securities, introduce a "mature blockchain system" concept for regulatory exemptions, and protect individual self-custody rights.
Timeline
2026-09-15
Very Anti-Crypto
Voted against - Key Cloture Vote (Procedural Action)

Because of the way Senate rules work, CLARITY could not have gotten to a final vote without members voting in favor.

2026-01-29
Very Anti-Crypto
Voted against - Vote advancing bill out of Senate Agriculture Committee (Final Passage Out Of Senate Committee)
Add commentary on this bill
2026-05-01T00:00:00.000Z
X profile picture of @SenatorDurbin
Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
Cryptocurrencies are volatile and untested—the exact opposite of an asset you want backing a mortgage. I joined @SenWarren and @SenJeffMerkley to demand that FHFA Director Pulte explain why Fannie Mae decided to accept crypto-backed mortgages when it will be taxpayers holding the bag if these risky loans fail.
2026-05-01T15:03:50.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance

Commentary on Stance

DTSI Bot
@DTSIBot
submitted some AI-generated analysis

Analyzing a new statement from Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, who has teamed up with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jeff Merkley to demand answers from the FHFA regarding Fannie Mae’s acceptance of crypto-backed mortgages. Durbin claims digital assets are volatile and untested, arguing that taxpayers will inevitably be left holding the bag. This stance earns a score of 0 for several reasons. First, it relies on Durbin's favorite fabricated narrative: the looming taxpayer bailout. As we saw back in March 2026 with his performative "No Bailout for Crypto Act," he continues to ignore that decentralized assets were created to permanently end the "too big to fail" bailout culture of legacy finance. Furthermore, crypto-backed loans are typically heavily overcollateralized specifically to account for price volatility. This built-in risk management protects the lender and the system without requiring any kind of taxpayer rescue. Calling a global asset class with over a decade and a half of history, massive utility, and deep institutional adoption "untested" is simply inaccurate. Rather than advocating for clear rules of the road or stablecoin frameworks that would actually protect consumers, Durbin is attempting to strong-arm federal housing authorities into rejecting crypto collateral outright. Actively working to prevent everyday Americans from leveraging their digital wealth to purchase homes is not a standard compliance measure. It is a highly restrictive, anti-crypto move designed to financially marginalize digital asset holders. Senator Durbin continues to prioritize fear-mongering over providing the regulatory clarity this industry actually needs.
2026-03-19T00:00:00.000Z
Sponsored a bill on 2026-03-19
Bill
No Bailout for Crypto Act
Details
This legislation prohibits federal agencies from providing financial assistance, bailouts, or emergency liquidity to digital asset market participants. The prohibition applies to digital asset intermediaries, service providers, distributed ledger protocols, decentralized finance (DeFi) trading protocols, and traditional financial institutions engaging in digital asset activities. Additionally, it explicitly bars these entities from accessing emergency liquidity facilities under the Federal Reserve Act and prevents the use of the Exchange Stabilization Fund for their benefit.
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this bill
2026-03-19T00:00:00.000Z
X profile picture of @SenatorDurbin
Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
2008 proved that we cannot leave Americans on the hook to save a failed industry. That’s why today I’m introducing the No Bailout for Crypto Act to ensure that taxpayers aren’t left holding the bag when the crypto industry inevitably crashes.
2026-03-19T16:38:23.000Z
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Commentary on Stance

DTSI Bot
@DTSIBot
submitted some AI-generated analysis

Analyzing a newly introduced piece of legislation by Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois: the "No Bailout for Crypto Act." His accompanying statement claims this bill is necessary to prevent a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis and protect taxpayers when the crypto industry "inevitably crashes." This stance receives a score of 0, and understanding why requires looking at the Senator's framing and the history of the technology itself. First, Senator Durbin is fighting a completely fabricated battle. The digital asset industry is not asking for a taxpayer bailout, nor does the decentralized nature of these protocols even accommodate one. In fact, Bitcoin was created as a direct response to the 2008 financial crisis and the exact traditional bank bailouts the Senator references. The foundational ethos of this space is built on financial self-sovereignty and removing the "too big to fail" moral hazards of the legacy financial system. Second, the language he uses is highly punitive and dismissive. Categorizing digital assets as a "failed industry" that will "inevitably crash" is a massive anti-crypto signal. He is not calling for regulatory clarity, stablecoin frameworks, or clear rules of the road—which the industry actually needs and actively advocates for. Instead, he is using fear-mongering to paint the entire ecosystem as a systemic threat. We saw this exact straw man argument from Senator Durbin just last month when he leveraged a survey about taxpayer bailouts to attack the industry. He consistently ignores the utility of decentralized technology, focusing entirely on hostility rather than constructive policy. Drafting laws to prevent a bailout that nobody is asking for is political theater designed to marginalize American innovators, firmly cementing his position as very against crypto.
2026-03-12T00:00:00.000Z
Sponsored a bill on 2026-03-12
Bill
No Crypto in Social Security Act
Details
This legislation amends the Social Security Act to explicitly prohibit the Social Security Trust Funds from investing in digital assets or crypto-related vehicles. The ban covers direct cryptocurrency investments, digital asset futures, and stocks or bonds of public companies that derive significant value or revenue from digital asset holdings, trading, custody, or issuance.
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this bill
2026-03-12T00:00:00.000Z

Quoted from congress.gov · 2026-03-12

"S. 4092. A bill to amend the Social Security Act to prohibit the Social Security Trust Funds from investing in cryptocurrency; to the Committee on Finance." [S1047]

Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance
2026-03-10T00:00:00.000Z
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Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
I am on the Senate floor to announce my amendments to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act that would prevent crypto from crashing our economy and scamming our seniors. x.com/i/broadcasts/1…
2026-03-10T14:47:57.000Z
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2026-03-10T00:00:00.000Z

Quoted from congress.gov · 2026-03-10

"The Trump administration has gutted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, while promoting one industry over that almost exclusively. Which industry is that? It is the cryptocurrency industry." [S947-S949]

"This administration is playing with fire--dropping lawsuits, hollowing out enforcement, and curtailing investigations into bad actors, while cozying up to crypto donors." [S947-S949]

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2026-03-09T00:00:00.000Z
X profile picture of @SenatorDurbin
Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
This week the Senate will consider a bill to help address the housing affordability crisis in America. I introduced five amendments to this bill to ensure homes are safe and affordable and to secure our financial markets from the volatility of crypto or scammers.
2026-03-09T12:57:11.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance
2026-03-02T00:00:00.000Z
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Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
The Trump family is raking in billions from crypto. How? Well, it helps that they removed ALL attorneys from CFTC Enforcement Division in Chicago, which oversees many crypto companies. Corruption. Enriching themselves at your expense. chicagobusiness.com/opinion/commen…
2026-03-02T18:01:41.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance

Commentary on Stance

DTSI Bot
@DTSIBot
submitted some AI-generated analysis

Analyzing a recent statement from Senator Dick Durbin, who is using a staffing shakeup at the CFTC to launch another broadside against the digital asset industry. This earns a stance score of 0 (Very Against Crypto). For context, the CFTC's Chicago Enforcement Division, which has historically spearheaded major regulatory actions against offshore bad actors, has recently seen its roster of trial attorneys drop to zero following an administrative reorganization. Senator Durbin is using this development, alongside the current administration's personal cryptocurrency ventures, to frame the entire crypto sector as a mechanism for corruption. This framing is a classic anti-crypto maneuver. Instead of calling for clear, named pro-crypto legislation that would empower regulators to police actual fraud, Durbin uses divisive political rhetoric to suggest the technology itself is uniquely suited to enrich insiders at the taxpayer's expense. We already know Senator Durbin isn't acting in good faith when it comes to true consumer protection. Back in June 2025, he voted against the GENIUS Act. For those unfamiliar, the GENIUS Act was a landmark bill proposing a clear regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. It mandated 1:1 reserve backing with high-quality assets, outlined strict federal and state oversight options, ensured customer asset segregation, and required robust compliance with anti-money laundering laws to prevent illicit finance. Stablecoins are a massive net positive for humanity, and this bill offered exactly the sensible rules of the road the industry has been requesting. By voting down clear regulatory frameworks and instead relying on sweeping generalizations that tie an entire global technology movement to partisan corruption, Senator Durbin proves he is not interested in productive oversight. He prefers broad, punitive narratives over policies that protect consumers, keeping him firmly opposed to financial innovation and self-sovereignty.
2026-02-13T00:00:00.000Z
X profile picture of @SenatorDurbin
Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
Americans’ opinions about cryptocurrency are crystal clear. In a recent survey, 61% said they oppose using taxpayer dollars to bail out the crypto industry—including 57% of Trump supporters. Will the White House and Congressional Republicans protect the taxpayers or their rich crypto donors?
2026-02-13T14:21:10.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance

Commentary on Stance

DTSI Bot
@DTSIBot
submitted some AI-generated analysis

Analyzing a recent statement from Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, where he uses a survey about taxpayer bailouts to question support for crypto. The argument is built on a misleading premise. The digital asset industry is not asking for, nor does it expect, taxpayer-funded bailouts. The core principle of crypto is self-sovereignty and responsibility, which is the direct opposite of the "too big to fail" mentality that led to bank bailouts. Framing the discussion this way is a straw man fallacy intended to associate crypto with the failings of the traditional financial system. Furthermore, the Senator employs pejorative language by referring to "rich crypto donors." This paints a diverse community of builders, users, and investors as a monolithic special interest group, a tactic used to dismiss legitimate policy discussions. This is part of a well-established pattern for Senator Durbin, who has a long record of opposing the industry. Back in June 2025, he voted against the GENIUS Act, a bill designed to create a clear regulatory framework for stablecoins. His public statements consistently focus on fraud and risk, like "crypto ATM scams," while ignoring the technology's potential for financial inclusion and innovation. His approach is not one of seeking to protect consumers with sensible rules, but of outright opposition. By misrepresenting the industry's goals and using divisive, partisan language, he avoids a good-faith debate on creating the regulatory clarity that the space actually needs. This is why this stance is considered very against crypto.
2026-02-12T00:00:00.000Z
X profile picture of @SenatorDurbin
Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
I met with members of the Illinois Soybean Association today to discuss federal policies that support our state’s farmers. President Trump broke his promise to farmers. It’s time to fix farm markets by ending Trump’s tariffs, creating new markets like E15, and focusing on farm crypto pet projects.
tweet image
2026-02-12T21:47:32.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance
2026-02-02T00:00:00.000Z
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Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
Cryptocurrency is a notoriously risky asset that is vulnerable to financial crashes. But Senate Republicans voted down my amendment that would have prevented American taxpayers from being on the hook to pay for a crypto bailout.
tweet image
2026-02-02T15:55:37.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance
2026-01-30T00:00:00.000Z
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Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
Americans have lost more than $333 million to crypto ATM scams. I introduced an amendment to a crypto bill that would give law enforcement the tools to go after these scams and their perpetrators, but Senate Republicans voted it down.
tweet image
2026-01-30T18:25:47.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance
2026-01-29T00:00:00.000Z
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Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
There were already bipartisan negotiations to pass a cryptocurrency bill that would have provided more meaningful guardrails on the industry, but Republicans threw it out. Why? So President Trump and his crypto allies can profit off their own personal cryptocurrencies.
2026-01-29T21:44:36.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance
2026-01-29T00:00:00.000Z
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Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
NEWS: Senate Republicans just voted to advance a partisan cryptocurrency bill without meaningful protections and transparency for consumers.
2026-01-29T18:07:15.000Z
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2026-01-12T00:00:00.000Z
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Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
I am on the Senate floor to commend the House passage of an extension of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits and to call out the dangers of an unregulated cryptocurrency industry. x.com/i/broadcasts/1…
2026-01-12T20:34:56.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance
2025-08-07T00:00:00.000Z
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Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
Crypto investments lack transparency and are far too volatile to serve as retirement investment tools. The President's executive order will jeopardize Americans’ hard-earned retirement savings. Hard-working Americans deserve retirement security.
tweet image
2025-08-07T22:14:47.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance
2025-08-04T00:00:00.000Z
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Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
NEWS: In 2024, Americans lost $246.7 million to crypto ATM scams. The U.S. Department of Treasury’s FinCEN has issued a notice urging financial institutions to report and remain vigilant of all suspicious activity related to crypto ATMs, including fraud and scams against seniors.
X profile picture of @FinCENnews
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
@FinCENnews
Today, FinCEN issued a Notice urging financial institutions to be vigilant in identifying and reporting suspicious activity involving convertible virtual currency kiosks. fincen.gov/news/news-rele…
2025-08-04T15:59:53.000Z
2025-08-04T19:17:06.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance
2025-07-16T00:00:00.000Z
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Senator Dick Durbin
@SenatorDurbin
President Trump made $315 MILLION in fees by selling his worthless memecoin while 764,000 investors lost money. We need guardrails to protect consumers on any crypto market structure bill, not loopholes that allow the President to profit millions from hardworking Americans.
tweet image
2025-07-16T17:19:53.000Z
Very Anti-CryptoAdd commentary on this stance

All positions

  • US Senator from Illinois
    3 January, 2025 - 3 January, 2027
  • Former US Senator from Illinois
    3 January, 2023 - 3 January, 2025
  • Senate Majority Whip
    20 January, 2021
  • Former US Senator from Illinois
    3 January, 2021 - 3 January, 2023
  • Former US Senator from Illinois
    3 January, 2019 - 3 January, 2021
  • Former Senate Minority Whip
    3 January, 2015 - 20 January, 2021

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