Senate Confirms Katie Lane as Federal Judge Despite 'Not Qualified' Rating

The Senate confirmed Katie Lane to a lifetime federal judgeship in Montana on Tuesday, with a vote of 52 to 46 along party lines. Lane, who previously served as senior legal counsel at the Republican National Committee, received a 'not qualified' rating from the American Bar Association (ABA), marking the first of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees to be confirmed with this rating during his second term. The ABA's rating was attributed to Lane's lack of experience, having practiced law for only nine years, which is below the ABA's 12-year minimum standard. Lane has less than eight years of experience in trial courts and has never served as lead counsel in a case. Pamela Roberts, chair of the ABA panel reviewing judicial nominees, stated that the lack of courtroom experience does not meet the necessary standards for a federal trial judge. Senate Democrats criticized Lane's confirmation, with Sen. Dick Durbin calling her the 'least qualified judicial nominee' of Trump's second term. In contrast, Sen. Steve Daines, who recommended Lane, defended her qualifications, emphasizing her values and public service record. Lane's responses during her confirmation hearing regarding the 2020 presidential election and the January 6 Capitol events have also drawn scrutiny.