Trump Renominates Lee Beaman for TVA Board Seat

President Donald Trump has renominated Lee Beaman for a seat on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) board. This marks Beaman’s second nomination in less than a year for the prominent utility organization.

Background on TVA Nominations

The TVA is recognized as the largest public utility in the United States. Beaman’s previous nomination occurred last summer when Trump sought to fill a vacancy left after dismissing board Chair Joe Ritch. Following Ritch’s ousting, Trump also removed two other board members, leading to extended gridlock.

Board Confirmation Delays

In December, the Senate confirmed four individuals—Arthur Graham, Mitch Graves, Jeff Hagood, and Randall Jones—to the TVA board. On July 1, Trump nominated Beaman alongside Graves and Hagood, both from Tennessee. However, Beaman’s hearing was delayed because he did not submit required paperwork in time for the initial committee session.

Critics, particularly among Democratic lawmakers, raised concerns regarding Beaman’s political affiliations and personal connections during his nomination hearings. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee initially scheduled a second hearing for Beaman, but ultimately chose to defer his nomination at the start of that meeting.

Current Status of the Nomination

At the beginning of 2026, Beaman’s nomination was returned to President Trump, necessitating a restart of the nomination process. This situation remains fluid, with updates expected as developments unfold.

Beaman is noted not only as a businessman but also as a significant supporter of GOP initiatives, including donations to political groups allied with Trump and to Tennessee Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty.

For more information and updates regarding this nomination and other TVA matters, stay tuned to El-Balad.