[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S3735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Nomination of Arthur Roberts Jones

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Arthur Roberts Jones to the U.S. District Court for the Southern 
District of Texas.
  Mr. Jones' association with a far-right organization and refusal to 
disavow that organization's extreme views on firearm safety are 
disqualifying.
  Mr. Jones joined Gun Owners of America in 2025. This group has 
criticized the National Rifle Association for being too moderate, 
called for ATF to be abolished, and argued that all gun safety laws are 
unconstitutional.
  I gave Mr. Jones the opportunity to explain his choice to join this 
group. In response, he disputed that Gun Owners of America has radical 
views on firearms and stonewalled on the question of whether he 
believes the Second Amendment renders all gun safety laws 
unconstitutional.
  His refusal to admit that the Supreme Court has, in fact, upheld 
various regulations on firearms under the Second Amendment is 
unacceptable for someone who seeks a lifetime appointment on the 
Federal bench.
  I cannot support his nomination.