Bill Lee

Force in Play

Ordered third-party review, paused executions this year

Christa Pike came two hours from a lethal injection on September 30 before a federal appeals court halted it; the Supreme Court cleared the way an hour later. Two doses of pentobarbital failed to kill her, and the execution warrant expired at midnight.

Updated 4 days ago

Built World

In office; championed the Transportation Modernization Act

Tennessee approved a private consortium's $9.2 billion plan to build tolled express lanes on Interstate 24 between Nashville and Murfreesboro. DriveTN will pay the state $24.8 billion over 50 years in exchange for the right to build and operate the lanes.

Updated Sep 17

Rule Changes

Convened special legislative session on May 5 to redraw congressional map targeting Rep. Steve Cohen's Memphis seat

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on April 29, 2026, in Louisiana v. Callais. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the main federal tool minority voters have used for four decades to challenge racially discriminatory maps, now requires plaintiffs to prove intentional discrimination before courts can order a remedy.

Updated May 31

Force in Play

Awaiting federal Major Disaster Declaration approval for 23 counties; recovery coordination ongoing

Winter Storm Fern killed over 150 people by early February 2026, following 106 deaths on January 28. The storm brought ice and heavy snow across a 2,000-mile path from Texas to Maine, prompting President Trump to declare federal emergencies in 10+ states as peak power outages exceeded 1 million, 14,000+ flights were canceled (the worst aviation disruption since COVID-19), and wind chills dropped to minus 50°F. Fatalities came from hypothermia, traffic accidents, and ice-related incidents: Tennessee reported 29 deaths, Mississippi 28, Louisiana 8, New York City 8 people frozen outdoors, with additional deaths in Kentucky and in Texas where 3 boys drowned after falling through pond ice.

Updated May 26