U.S. Senator Steve Daines called on his colleagues in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Mar. 25 to support the nomination of Katie Lane as the next Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.
The confirmation process is significant because federal judges play a key role in decisions that affect Montanans’ daily lives, and their rulings can impact issues ranging from public safety to land use and industry regulations.
In his prepared remarks, Daines said, “It is my honor to introduce Katie Lane and support her nomination to serve as the next Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.” He highlighted Lane’s background growing up in Bozeman, her academic achievements at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, and her legal experience clerking at both trial and appellate levels of the federal judiciary. Daines noted that after returning to Montana, Lane served as Deputy Solicitor General under Attorney General Austin Knudsen from 2021 to 2023 where she defended state laws and challenged federal actions.
Lane has worked on cases important to Montanans such as defending Second Amendment rights, addressing land use and grazing disputes, and supporting Montana’s coal industry. She currently serves as Senior Counsel at the Republican National Committee managing litigation nationwide.
Daines said it is crucial that judges are selected who are committed to upholding constitutional principles rather than personal politics or viewpoints. “Katie’s values are rooted in Montana and grounded in the Constitution,” he said. “I am confident she will be fair-minded, principled, and bring honor, decency, and integrity to the bench.” He urged prompt approval by both committee members and full Senate confirmation without delay.
Daines represents Montana in the Senate with offices across the state according to his official website. As a fifth-generation Montanan with private sector experience according to his official website, he focuses on assisting residents with federal matters while advancing economic opportunities through jobs in energy, mining, forestry sectors according to his official website. Daines also supports public safety initiatives for Indian nations according to his official website.
He serves on several committees including Finance; Foreign Relations; Energy and Natural Resources; and Indian Affairs according to his official website. Through these roles he promotes pro-growth tax policies, sustainable forest management practices according to his official website, public access to lands according to his official website, among other priorities.
