Grassley Opens Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing to Consider Six District Judges

Prepared Opening Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Wednesday, September 16, 2026 Good everybody. I’d like to welcome everyone to today’s hearing. Today, our panel features six district court nominees: Daniel Ballou, for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Richard Bennett, for the Southern District of Texas. Courtney Coker, for the Northern District of Texas. Trevor Pemberton, for the Northern District of Oklahoma. Kyle Reardon, for the District of Alaska. Zachary West, for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. I’ll keep my remarks brief, since we have a number of visitors who’ll introduce these nominees. All of today’s nominees are highly qualified to serve on the federal bench. What strikes me about today’s nominees in particular, is the diverse qualifications they’ve gained throughout their careers in public service. Of course, like many hearings, this panel features nominees who’ve clerked at the federal district and circuit court levels. Beyond that, I’m proud that two nominees here today served in our military. Judge Ballou served in both the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps as an intelligence officer, and Judge Reardon began his career in the Army JAG Corps. Moreover, all of today’s nominees have served as attorneys in civilian public service as well. Take, for example, Mr. Bennett who served as a state and federal prosecutor, as well as a legal advisor and assistant chief counsel with a federal agency. Mr. Coker and Judge Reardon also spent most of their careers as federal prosecutors, protecting victims and the public at large. Mr. West worked for our colleague, Senator Cruz, in support of this committee, and he spent the remainder of his career in the state attorney general’s office, including service as the solicitor general of Oklahoma. Mr. Pemberton spent years as the general counsel in the governor’s office, gaining critical insight into the issues facing the people of his state. Notably, two-thirds of today’s nominees already have judicial experience. Take, for example, Judge Ballou. He’s been a state judge in Kentucky for nearly a quarter of a century. I think it’s fair to say that he knows a thing or two about managing a courtroom. Mr. Pemberton previously served as both a trial and appellate judge in Oklahoma. Judge Bennett and Judge Reardon are currently federal magistrate judges in Texas and Alaska, respectively. My point is this – yes, today’s nominees have had remarkable legal careers. They know the law; they’ve done the work. But today’s nominees are also no stranger to public service. They’ve all answered the call to serve our great country, and I’m confident that they’ll continue doing so as federal judges. I look forward to hearing from each of today’s nominees. -30-