The confirmation vote for former Nashville auto executive Lee Beaman to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board has been delayed, the Tennessee Lookout reports. The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works planned to advance Beaman’s nomination but removed it from the agenda on Wednesday after questions arose about his Washington, D.C. properties and his ties to Tennessee Republican Rep. Andy Ogles. Beaman told senators he purchased two D.C.-area rowhouses through Crockett Ventures and leased them to the nonprofit Ambassador Services International for $1 per year. The nonprofit is run by Beaman's pastor, Steve Berger. Several lawmakers are believed to be living in the properties, and Democratic senators voiced concerns of a potential conflict of interest for Beaman. Beaman told the committee he has no control over the nonprofit or its subleases, and is not involved in the organization's operations. Beaman briefly served as Ogles’ campaign treasurer in 2022.

The judges of the Davidson County General Sessions Court announced that they have directed Justice A.A. Birch Courthouse security to heighten security measures following remarks by Congressman Andy Ogles that "appeared intended to incite violence against elected officials in Davidson County." In a joint statement, the judges said, "We stand united in condemning any language or actions that target judges — or any elected officials — with threats of violence as a means of expressing political disagreement. In light of the numerous acts of political violence witnessed in recent years, the statements made by Mr. Ogles are unacceptable." Read the full statement. The judges also sent a formal request to Gov. Bill Lee requesting that the state take "immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of the public in and around" the courthouse.

Lee Beaman, the former Nashville car dealership owner nominated by President Donald Trump to the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board of directors, faced a Senate committee this week, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn introduced Beaman to the committee, saying, “He brings decades of experience in business leadership, community service and organizational governance with him to fill this role at the TVA.” Democrats on the committee questioned Beaman about his ties to Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles. Beaman previously served as Ogles’ campaign treasurer, though he denied holding the position when senators said disclosures were made. Knox News also reports on the hearing. Beaman must still face a committee vote before his nomination can go to the full Senate. If confirmed, his term would expire in 2030.

Memphis could receive additional law enforcement resources and funding for technology to combat cargo theft under a legislative proposal from Tennessee's Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the Daily Memphian reports. In a statement Blackburn said, “Cargo theft is a pressing issue impacting businesses in Tennessee, and we need to shut down these organized crime groups that steal essential goods from Tennesseans to traffic drugs and weapons.” The bill, co-sponsored by Minnesota Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar, would equip six American intermodal facilities with funding for more technology or law enforcement resources. Blackburn wants to locate one of those facilities in Memphis, according to the paper. The Greater Memphis Chamber is supporting the effort. Chamber President Ted Townsend said that Memphis, a gateway city that links eastern and western railroad tracks, ranks second for cargo theft in America.

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, Republican of Knoxville, is pushing for a vote on his long-running bill to ban members of Congress and their families from trading stocks, telling Knox News that if House Speaker Mike Johnson does not act by Nov. 28, a bipartisan group will file a discharge petition to force the issue. Burchett, who has made the effort a priority since taking office in 2018, compared the practice to insider trading and pointed to reports of lawmakers conducting extensive stock transactions in industries they oversee. The Restore Trust in Congress Act has 87 cosponsors and would prohibit lawmakers, spouses, dependent children and trustees from buying or selling a range of financial assets. Burchett said broad public support exists for the ban but acknowledged challenges in building momentum in Congress.

President Donald Trump on Friday named new federal district court judge nominees, including Brian Lea for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, according to Reuters. Lea, a former clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and partner at Jones Day, joined the U.S. Department of Justice near the beginning of Trump’s return to office. In the announcement on social media, Trump said, “In his new role, Brian will boldly defend our Constitution and prioritize law and order in Tennessee — he will not let you down.” Trump also nominated Justin Olson to fill a district court seat in the Southern District of Indiana and Megan Benton of Missouri to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The new picks bring to 34 the number of judicial nominees Trump has announced in his second term. The U.S. Senate has confirmed 19 of them, adding to the 234 judicial nominees confirmed during Trump’s first term.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Republican of Brentwood, and four other senators introduced the Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act on Friday. According to WSMV, the bill would make it easier to bring federal criminal charges against certain juvenile offenders who are age 16 or older. Blackburn said violence must be met with accountability and that offenders should not be excused because of their age. “The Violent Juvenile Offender Accountability Act would build upon my work to combat juvenile crime by empowering prosecutors to bring federal criminal charges against offenders aged 16 and older,” she said.

Two federal judges recently admitted their rulings included errors generated by artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting the lack of consistent national guidelines on AI use in U.S. courts, Reuters reports. That has led U.S. Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, D-Iowa, to warn the judiciary that Congress is watching closely. He also is urging the courts to adopt formal, uniform safeguards against AI misuse. While many courts have issued local orders or policies, the federal judiciary is still relying on temporary guidance issued in July. The recent revelations have intensified scrutiny on how judges use AI, as state and federal courts continue developing policies aimed at balancing the technology’s promise with the need for human oversight.

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday failed for the 13th time to advance a stopgap spending bill that would fund the government until Nov. 21 and end the monthlong government shutdown. The 54-45 vote was nearly identical to the previous 12 votes, as Republicans and Democrats held firm in their positions, the Tennessee Lookout reports. The measure needed at least 60 votes to advance under the Senate’s legislative filibuster. Senate leaders continued to clash over priorities, with Republicans urging passage of the House-approved bill to reopen the government and Democrats pushing for broader negotiations over tax credits and social programs. Both parties reportedly are exploring separate measures to fund nutrition assistance programs.

U.S. senators, including Tennessee's Marsha Blackburn, are backing legislation that would fund uninterrupted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through 2026, even if the government shutdown continues. Last week, Gov. Bill Lee said the state will not be able to cover lost federal SNAP benefits. According to Knox News, on Oct. 27 the U.S. Department of Agriculture said it would not use contingency funds to reload beneficiaries’ grocery cards. Last week, Tennessee lawmakers urged Lee to call a special legislative session to address the lack of federal funding during the shutdown as 690,000 Tennesseans are set to lose SNAP or other benefits.