[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 179 (Tuesday, October 28, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S7764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Jordan Emery Pratt

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Jordan Pratt to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of 
Florida.
  Judge Pratt has repeatedly demonstrated his partisanship and extreme 
views over the course of his career. While working in the Florida 
Department of Legal Affairs, he argued in support of restrictions on 
abortion rights and voting rights.
  He later worked for the first Trump administration and a far-right 
legal organization, First Liberty Institute. In his role at First 
Liberty, Judge Pratt belittled abortion rights, opposed transgender 
rights, and argued against firearms restrictions. During his tenure 
with First Liberty, the organization was a member of the advisory board 
of Project 2025. Judge Pratt participated in meetings regarding Project 
2025 and provided research as part of that effort.
  My colleagues may claim that Judge Pratt did these things during his 
time as an advocate and that he understands the difference between the 
role of an advocate and the role of a judge.
  However, following his appointment to the State bench in 2023, Judge 
Pratt continued to act in a fashion more befitting a political activist 
than an even-handed arbiter of the law. Earlier this year, he wrote an 
opinion in which he held that a Florida law allowing minors to seek 
abortions without parental consent was unconstitutional. In commenting 
on Judge Pratt's opinion, one lawyer said that ``[j]udicial overreach 
doesn't even begin to describe it.''
  We do not need to wonder how this nominee will rule if he is 
confirmed to the Federal bench. We already know. Like other judicial 
nominees put forth by President Trump, Judge Pratt has strong ties to 
rightwing organizations. He is an active member of the Federalist 
Society, and he has stated his intention to remain affiliated with the 
Federalist Society if he is confirmed to the Federal bench.
  Judge Pratt's record clearly reflects a level of partisan ideology 
and judicial activism that is inappropriate for someone nominated to a 
lifetime position on the Federal bench.
  I will oppose Judge Pratt's nomination, and I urge my colleagues to 
join me.

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