Michael Solon is a resident consultant to Akin Gump. He is a 25-year veteran of Capitol Hill, with extensive experience in various leadership offices. While his focus has been on budget, tax and economic issues, his experience extends to appropriations, homeland security, environment, energy, healthcare, welfare and other matters facing congressional Finance, Banking and Appropriations committees. From these efforts, Mr. Solon has gained a unique understanding of the complex parliamentary and budgetary rules that govern consideration of any legislation in the Senate, and unique perspective that integrates the necessary elements of policy, procedure and politics.
Prior to his 14 years with Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas, Mr. Solon worked for Rep. Dick Armey, R-Texas, and worked with numerous other House members during his tenure with the House Republican Study Committee. Mr. Solon joined Sen. Gramm in 1988, ultimately rising to the position of economic policy adviser. He later joined the Senate Majority Leaders Office under Sen. Trent Lott where he served as the economic policy adviser. Following that, he was chosen as the staff director of the Senate Steering Committee under Chairman Gramm, and later served as the deputy staff director of the Senate Banking Committee and legislative director for Sen. Gramm.
After Sen. Gramm retired, Mr. Solon joined the Senate Republican Whip Office of Mitch McConnell as the policy director. When Sen. McConnell was elected unanimously to the office of Senate Republican Leader, Mr. Solon was named policy director for strategic planning.
Mr. Solon’s experience also includes advising elected officials such as Dan Quayle and Bob Kasten, along with Social Security Commissioner Dorcas Hardy. He was the economic adviser for the House Republican Study Committee and served in the campaigns of former Texas Gov. Bill Clements and former Rep. Steve Bartlett, R-Texas. Mr. Solon was an adviser to the presidential campaigns of Sen. McCain in 2008 and Sen. Gramm in 1996.
Mr. Solon received his B.A. in political science from the University of Texas in Austin. His post graduate studies includes work towards a Masters degree in Economics from George Mason University.