[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 26 (Thursday, February 5, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Brian Charles Lea

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Brian Lea to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of 
Tennessee.
  Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Lea has demonstrated his 
clear partisanship. In his current role with the Justice Department, he 
has defended the Trump administration against several lawsuits 
challenging the administration's grant funding policies. Federal courts 
have repeatedly found those policies to be arbitrary and capricious.
  In private practice, Mr. Lea represented the Republican National 
Committee and defended tobacco companies. In addition, Mr. Lea lacks 
legal experience in Tennessee. He was not licensed to practice in the 
State until shortly before his nomination, and he has never appeared in 
Tennessee State or Federal court.
  This nominee's record reflects how the Trump administration selects 
nominees based on their perceived political loyalty--and how the 
administration expects judicial nominees to continue to support its 
actions if they are confirmed to the Federal bench.
  I oppose Mr. Lea's nomination and ask my colleagues to join me.