Prepared
Statement by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Chairman,
Senate Judiciary Committee
Hearing on
“Nominations”
May 10, 2017
Good
morning. I’m pleased to hold this nominations hearing for three very
well-qualified nominees to three important positions in our government.
Noel
Francisco is nominated to be Solicitor General. If he’s confirmed, he’ll be the
first ever Asian-American Senate confirmed Solicitor General. Steven Engel is
nominated to be Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel, an
office that functions as legal advisor to the President and executive branch
agencies. Makan Delrahim is nominated to be the Assistant Attorney General for
the Antitrust Division at DOJ. Makan immigrated to this country when he was 10
and if confirmed, he’ll be the highest ranking Iranian-American official at the
Department of Justice.
Of
course, Makan served on this Committee as staff director for Senator Hatch so
many of us know him well. And as a former Staff Director, he knows what it’s
like to sit on the staff bench up here. Today, he’ll learn what it’s like at
the witness table.
Congratulations
to all of you and to your families and welcome to the Committee.
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