[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 17, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1065-S1066]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Anna St. John

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Anna St. John to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of 
Louisiana.
  Ms. St. John's record reflects her partisan ideology and raises 
serious questions about her ability to impartially administer justice 
if she is confirmed. Her practice largely consists of challenging 
class-action settlements, and she has also made time to file amicus 
briefs in politically charged cases, in which she demeaned LGBTQ 
Americans and opposed diversity initiatives.
  Her public commentary is also troubling. She has criticized what she 
calls ``woke ideology.'' She has challenged First Amendment protections 
guaranteed by the Supreme Court more than 60 years ago in New York 
Times v. Sullivan.
  In November 2021, Ms. St. John testified against bipartisan 
legislation ending forced arbitration in cases of workplace sexual 
assault and harassment. The legislation--the Ending Forced Arbitration 
of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act--enjoyed broad support 
among lawmakers from both parties.
  Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson was one of the leading 
advocates for the legislation. She is speaking out about Ms. St. John's 
nomination, including in an article in which she wrote: ``While women 
around the country bravely shared the urgency of eradicating forced 
arbitration, St. John used her power and influence to gaslight these 
women and the public. She downplayed their stories and minimized their 
pain.''
  I oppose Ms. St. John's nomination. I ask my colleagues to join me.

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