President Trump’s solicitor general nominee, Noel Francisco, advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday along partisan lines, 11-9.
As solicitor general, Francisco would have the responsibility of conducting and supervising the government’s litigation at the Supreme Court. He has functioned in the role of principal deputy solicitor general in 2017 and worked at global law firm Jones Day in its government relations practice. He also served as an associate counsel to President George W. Bush from 2003 to 2005.
During hearings on his nomination before the Judiciary Committee, Francisco said serving as solicitor general “would be the greatest honor of my professional life.”
Senate testimony from FBI Director James Comey on Thursday largely distracted attention of progressives and Senate Democrats opposed to Francisco’s nomination from the committee’s action on Francisco’s nomination.
