--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You'll never get progress in Washington…" description: "\"You'll never get progress in Washington until you have a majority, bipartisan majority, that really wants to solve problems.\" — Dick Durbin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/dick-durbin-3181_bipartisan_you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington_914011.jpg" --- # You'll never get progress in Washington until you have a… ![“You'll never get progress in Washington until you have a majority, bipartisan majority, that really wants to solve problems.” quote by Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/dick-durbin-3181_bipartisan_you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington_914011.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/dick-durbin-3181_bipartisan_you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington_914011.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/dick-durbin-3181_bipartisan_you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington_914011.jpg) > “You'll never get progress in Washington until you have a majority, bipartisan majority, that really wants to solve problems.” [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Progress requires a bipartisan majority genuinely committed to solving problems; single‑party dominance stalls change. **In simple terms:** Both parties must agree to move forward. Key Takeaway Build cross‑party coalitions for reform. Themes politics collaboration policy governance Mood hopeful determined Type political motivational When to use this quote - legislative negotiations - community organizing - advocacy Key Concepts bipartisanship legislation public will Questions to Reflect On - How can you foster bipartisan dialogue in your community? - What incentives encourage cooperation across party lines? A Different Perspective Partisan gridlock can impede even broad consensus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bipartisan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipartisan/) [Bipartisan Majority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipartisan-majority-719008/) [Get](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get/) [Majority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/majority/) [Majority Bipartisan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/majority-bipartisan-1362325/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problems/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Progress Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress-washington-1362327/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Washington Majority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/washington-majority-1362326/) ## Related quotes > [If there is a nuclear tactic being used here, I submit it is the use of that obstruction where a willful minority blocks a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cornyn/if-there-is-a-nuclear-tactic-being-used-here-i-submit-it-is-the-use/) [John Cornyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cornyn/) > [ I think \[Donald Trump\] s got the votes for \[tax reform\]. I think he's definitely has the Republican votes for it, in House and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-giuliani/i-think-donald-trump-s-got-the-votes-for-tax-reform-i-think-he-s/) [Rudy Giuliani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-giuliani/) > [We want to move forward in a bipartisan fashion to solve our problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-want-to-move-forward-in-a-bipartisan-fashion-to-solve-our-problems/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [Yesterday I, along with a bipartisan Congressional Delegation of lawmakers, inspected the detention facilities at Guantanamo used to house individuals detained in the War…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ryun/yesterday-i-along-with-a-bipartisan-congressional-delegation-of/) [Jim Ryun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ryun/) > [I am now more sure than ever that we're going to have a bipartisan bill ... making incredible progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-diaz-balart/i-am-now-more-sure-than-ever-that-we-re-going-to-have-a-bipartisan/) [Mario Diaz-Balart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-diaz-balart/) > [I am long term optimistic and short term pessimistic on immigration. Long term, I'm optimistic because there's a lotta bipartisan agreement outside of Washington…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-am-long-term-optimistic-and-short-term-pessimistic-on-immigration/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [I welcome the Democrats' ideas on Social Security. I think it is very important to make a bipartisan reform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kingston/i-welcome-the-democrats-ideas-on-social-security-i-think-it-is-very/) [Jack Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kingston/) > [Mr. Speaker, for the last 5 years I have been working with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to make it illegal to continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-blumenauer/mr-speaker-for-the-last-5-years-i-have-been-working-with-a-bipartisan/) [Earl Blumenauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-blumenauer/) > [When Americans are worried about losing their jobs, their savings, their homes and their chance at the American Dream, Congress and the president must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/when-americans-are-worried-about-losing-their-jobs-their-savings/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [I have also come to understand Congress' need for a bipartisan as well as a partisan capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-price/i-have-also-come-to-understand-congress-need-for-a-bipartisan-as-well/) [David Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-price/) > [It's not just about talking. It's about - can you actually achieve objectives? I was very proud of what we were able to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-faulconer/it-s-not-just-about-talking-it-s-about-can-you-actually-achieve/) [Kevin Faulconer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-faulconer/) > [We will build a Navy of 350 surface ships and submarines, as recommended by the bipartisan National Defense Panel. We right now only have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-will-build-a-navy-of-350-surface-ships-and-submarines-as/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [What we need is a bipartisan commitment to improving the laws on the books, to lower premiums, to improve access and improve quality of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/what-we-need-is-a-bipartisan-commitment-to-improving-the-laws-on-the/) [Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/) > [It's encouraging to watch bipartisan leaders from different states recognize the need for fair and rational legislation focused on creating second chances for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-rubin/it-s-encouraging-to-watch-bipartisan-leaders-from-different-states/) [Michael G. Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-rubin/) > [When you hang the 'bipartisan' tag on something, the perception is that differences have been worked out, and there's a broad agreement that that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/when-you-hang-the-bipartisan-tag-on-something-the-perception-is-that/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) ## More by Dick Durbin > [We believe that there are aspects of border security that Democrats and Republicans can agree on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-believe-that-there-are-aspects-of-border-security-that-democrats/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [When you're talking about long-term deficit reduction, $4 trillion worth, entitlement reform needs to be part of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/when-you-re-talking-about-long-term-deficit-reduction-4-trillion/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [I prefer Raisin Bran. But I like the Mini-Wheats.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/i-prefer-raisin-bran-but-i-like-the-mini-wheats/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [As a government lawyer, Samuel Alito wrote that he personally believe very strongly the Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/as-a-government-lawyer-samuel-alito-wrote-that-he-personally-believe/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [We've had enough with the gun traffickers and straw purchasers who buy guns out of state and sell them out of the trunks of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-ve-had-enough-with-the-gun-traffickers-and-straw-purchasers-who/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [Having billions of dollars immediately available to plug budget holes without raising taxes is very appealing. And to the delight of Wall Street investors,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/having-billions-of-dollars-immediately-available-to-plug-budget-holes/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [It is a challenge to all of us, and it's a challenge we need to meet, to make sure the Quincy Veterans' Home is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/it-is-a-challenge-to-all-of-us-and-it-s-a-challenge-we-need-to-meet/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [Reducing and removing greenhouse gas emissions spares our planet from the well-documented degradation that we are witnessing on a global basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/reducing-and-removing-greenhouse-gas-emissions-spares-our-planet-from/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [It is tough to run for public office and face an opponent, to decide on issues what is the best thing, then face the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/it-is-tough-to-run-for-public-office-and-face-an-opponent-to-decide/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [We ought to deal with Social Security in a separate conversation that is not part of deficit reduction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-ought-to-deal-with-social-security-in-a-separate-conversation-that/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [I have thought about this issue of abortion time and again. It is not an easy issue for most people. I came to believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/i-have-thought-about-this-issue-of-abortion-time-and-again-it-is-not/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [We will have health care reform in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/we-will-have-health-care-reform-in-america/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [Magazine clips with more than 10 rounds should be prohibited from civilian use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/magazine-clips-with-more-than-10-rounds-should-be-prohibited-from/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [With every new corporate inversion, the tax burden increases on the rest of us to pay what these corporations don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/with-every-new-corporate-inversion-the-tax-burden-increases-on-the/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [Let me tell you, the first president to recognize the state of Israel was Harry Truman, a Democrat. And every president since, Democrat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/let-me-tell-you-the-first-president-to-recognize-the-state-of-israel/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) [Explore all 137 Dick Durbin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) ## More Bipartisan quotes > [When you hang the 'bipartisan' tag on something, the perception is that differences have been worked out, and there's a broad agreement that that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-mcconnell/when-you-hang-the-bipartisan-tag-on-something-the-perception-is-that/) [Mitch McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-mcconnell/) > [It's encouraging to watch bipartisan leaders from different states recognize the need for fair and rational legislation focused on creating second chances for those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-g-rubin/it-s-encouraging-to-watch-bipartisan-leaders-from-different-states/) [Michael G. Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-g-rubin/) > [What we need is a bipartisan commitment to improving the laws on the books, to lower premiums, to improve access and improve quality of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ossoff/what-we-need-is-a-bipartisan-commitment-to-improving-the-laws-on-the/) [Jon Ossoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ossoff/) > [We will build a Navy of 350 surface ships and submarines, as recommended by the bipartisan National Defense Panel. We right now only have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-will-build-a-navy-of-350-surface-ships-and-submarines-as/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [It's not just about talking. It's about - can you actually achieve objectives? I was very proud of what we were able to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-faulconer/it-s-not-just-about-talking-it-s-about-can-you-actually-achieve/) [Kevin Faulconer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-faulconer/) > [I have also come to understand Congress' need for a bipartisan as well as a partisan capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-price/i-have-also-come-to-understand-congress-need-for-a-bipartisan-as-well/) [David Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-price/) > [When Americans are worried about losing their jobs, their savings, their homes and their chance at the American Dream, Congress and the president must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/when-americans-are-worried-about-losing-their-jobs-their-savings/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [Mr. Speaker, for the last 5 years I have been working with a bipartisan group of my colleagues to make it illegal to continue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-blumenauer/mr-speaker-for-the-last-5-years-i-have-been-working-with-a-bipartisan/) [Earl Blumenauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-blumenauer/) > [I welcome the Democrats' ideas on Social Security. I think it is very important to make a bipartisan reform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kingston/i-welcome-the-democrats-ideas-on-social-security-i-think-it-is-very/) [Jack Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kingston/) > [I am long term optimistic and short term pessimistic on immigration. Long term, I'm optimistic because there's a lotta bipartisan agreement outside of Washington…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-am-long-term-optimistic-and-short-term-pessimistic-on-immigration/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [I am now more sure than ever that we're going to have a bipartisan bill ... making incredible progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-diaz-balart/i-am-now-more-sure-than-ever-that-we-re-going-to-have-a-bipartisan/) [Mario Diaz-Balart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-diaz-balart/) > [Yesterday I, along with a bipartisan Congressional Delegation of lawmakers, inspected the detention facilities at Guantanamo used to house individuals detained in the War…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ryun/yesterday-i-along-with-a-bipartisan-congressional-delegation-of/) [Jim Ryun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ryun/) > [We have neglected our aerospace program, and I am detecting a lot of bipartisan support to continue that mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-strange/we-have-neglected-our-aerospace-program-and-i-am-detecting-a-lot-of/) [Luther Strange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-strange/) > [“Pick a leader who will keep jobs in your country by offering companies incentives to hire only within their borders, not one who allows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/pick-a-leader-who-will-keep-jobs-in-your-country-by-offering/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [I think you'll find that these are measures that have great bipartisan support, and so I expect, not only did we do well in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-you-ll-find-that-these-are-measures-that-have-great/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) [Browse all 300 Bipartisan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bipartisan/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You'll never get progress in Washington until you have a majority, bipartisan majority, that really wants to solve problems.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dick Durbin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington-until-you-have-a-majority/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bipartisan" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington-until-you-have-a-majority/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/dick-durbin-3181_bipartisan_you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington_914011.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/dick-durbin-3181_bipartisan_you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington_914011.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/dick-durbin-3181_bipartisan_you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington_914011.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You'll never get progress in Washington until you have a majority, bipartisan majority, that really wants to…” — Dick Durbin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dick Durbin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You'll never get progress in Washington...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington-until-you-have-a-majority/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/you-ll-never-get-progress-in-washington-until-you-have-a-majority/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```