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La. senator disagrees with his gun policies
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
By Bruce Alpert
WASHINGTON -- Louisiana Sen. David Vitter has joined two other Republican senators to block the nomination of Michael Sullivan to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms on grounds that he hasn't offered specific steps to end what Vitter calls the bureau's overzealous regulation of legal gun dealers.
Vitter said last week that he is continuing his hold on the Bush nomination after receiving Sullivan's responses to his questions, which the senator labeled a disappointment.
"The ATF is continuing policies that place an impossible standard on gun owners when it comes to apply for a license, as well as not allowing for a reasonable method for gun owners to challenge those overly burdensome regulatory policies," Vitter said. "The nominee seems to support the ATF's current inadequate polices and exhibits a lack of willingness to address these problems."
Vitter did not release his correspondence with Sullivan. Vitter spokesman Joel DiGrado said it is office policy not to release such communications.
Idaho Sens. Larry Craig and Mike Crapo also are opposed to Sullivan's appointment. Craig has said some gun dealers in Idaho have had their licensing applications rejected because of simple paperwork errors.
However, Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr told The Washington Post that Sullivan is "the right person for the job" and "critical to the department's effort to combat violent crime."
Kerry says he's qualified
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., called Sullivan, a Republican who has served as U.S. attorney for Boston since 2001, "a qualified professional" whose nomination is in jeopardy "simply because he has responsibly enforced our country's laws."
"He's the farthest thing from an ideologue that you could imagine," Kerry said. "I think it's an understatement that my differences with George Bush have been fairly well-chronicled, but neither of us want to see a decent and professional law enforcement officer's nomination jeopardized."
The ATF has recently been caught in a dispute between police chiefs and mayors who want access to the bureau's records to help trace guns used in crimes and the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights advocates who say the information is being sought to unfairly harass legitimate gun dealers.
Snags criticized
Vitter has criticized Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., for holding up the nomination of Michael Dugas of Baton Rouge for a federal district judgeship. Asked whether he was doing what he had criticized Landrieu for, Vitter's office said there are significant differences.
Senate rules require the two senators from the home state of a judicial nominee to sign a "blue slip" before the Senate Judiciary Committee can hold a confirmation hearing. Vitter said Landrieu has refused to sign a slip for Dugas' nomination. Without a hearing it would be difficult, if not impossible, to get a nominee confirmed by the Senate, as Vitter learned last week when he tried to move the nomination through a unanimous consent request on the Senate floor.
"Mary has single-handedly denied David Dugas even a committee hearing, which also blocks any vote," Vitter said Tuesday. "I did no such thing with Sullivan. He had a hearing and would have a vote if (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid schedules it. Basically, my 'hold' simply means that, as of now, I will vote against him, including on cloture."
Reid spokesman Jim Manley said Sullivan hasn't been brought up for a confirmation vote because of timing issues.
Sullivan has served as acting ATF director since 2006 while he continues as the top federal prosecutor in Boston.
The administration has said it won't move to name a new U.S. attorney in Boston until Sullivan is confirmed to the directorship of ATF. Bush nominated him for the post in March 2007, and the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to support the nominee and send his name to the full Senate for a confirmation vote in November.
Christina DiIorio-Sterling, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Boston, said Sullivan "fully appreciates and has the highest regard for, the important role that they (senators) play in providing consent to the president of the United States. I also know that he will continue to be responsive to all questions and concerns by the Senate."
La. senator disagrees with his gun policies
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
By Bruce Alpert
WASHINGTON -- Louisiana Sen. David Vitter has joined two other Republican senators to block the nomination of Michael Sullivan to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms on grounds that he hasn't offered specific steps to end what Vitter calls the bureau's overzealous regulation of legal gun dealers.
Vitter said last week that he is continuing his hold on the Bush nomination after receiving Sullivan's responses to his questions, which the senator labeled a disappointment.
"The ATF is continuing policies that place an impossible standard on gun owners when it comes to apply for a license, as well as not allowing for a reasonable method for gun owners to challenge those overly burdensome regulatory policies," Vitter said. "The nominee seems to support the ATF's current inadequate polices and exhibits a lack of willingness to address these problems."
Vitter did not release his correspondence with Sullivan. Vitter spokesman Joel DiGrado said it is office policy not to release such communications.
Idaho Sens. Larry Craig and Mike Crapo also are opposed to Sullivan's appointment. Craig has said some gun dealers in Idaho have had their licensing applications rejected because of simple paperwork errors.
However, Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr told The Washington Post that Sullivan is "the right person for the job" and "critical to the department's effort to combat violent crime."
Kerry says he's qualified
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., called Sullivan, a Republican who has served as U.S. attorney for Boston since 2001, "a qualified professional" whose nomination is in jeopardy "simply because he has responsibly enforced our country's laws."
"He's the farthest thing from an ideologue that you could imagine," Kerry said. "I think it's an understatement that my differences with George Bush have been fairly well-chronicled, but neither of us want to see a decent and professional law enforcement officer's nomination jeopardized."
The ATF has recently been caught in a dispute between police chiefs and mayors who want access to the bureau's records to help trace guns used in crimes and the National Rifle Association and other gun-rights advocates who say the information is being sought to unfairly harass legitimate gun dealers.
Snags criticized
Vitter has criticized Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., for holding up the nomination of Michael Dugas of Baton Rouge for a federal district judgeship. Asked whether he was doing what he had criticized Landrieu for, Vitter's office said there are significant differences.
Senate rules require the two senators from the home state of a judicial nominee to sign a "blue slip" before the Senate Judiciary Committee can hold a confirmation hearing. Vitter said Landrieu has refused to sign a slip for Dugas' nomination. Without a hearing it would be difficult, if not impossible, to get a nominee confirmed by the Senate, as Vitter learned last week when he tried to move the nomination through a unanimous consent request on the Senate floor.
"Mary has single-handedly denied David Dugas even a committee hearing, which also blocks any vote," Vitter said Tuesday. "I did no such thing with Sullivan. He had a hearing and would have a vote if (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid schedules it. Basically, my 'hold' simply means that, as of now, I will vote against him, including on cloture."
Reid spokesman Jim Manley said Sullivan hasn't been brought up for a confirmation vote because of timing issues.
Sullivan has served as acting ATF director since 2006 while he continues as the top federal prosecutor in Boston.
The administration has said it won't move to name a new U.S. attorney in Boston until Sullivan is confirmed to the directorship of ATF. Bush nominated him for the post in March 2007, and the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to support the nominee and send his name to the full Senate for a confirmation vote in November.
Christina DiIorio-Sterling, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Boston, said Sullivan "fully appreciates and has the highest regard for, the important role that they (senators) play in providing consent to the president of the United States. I also know that he will continue to be responsive to all questions and concerns by the Senate."
