[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 142 (Saturday, August 7, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5994-S5995]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NOMINATION OF DAVID H. CHIPMAN

  Mr. McCONNELL. On one final matter, I have already discussed how the 
Biden administration has nominated a proud and proven opponent of 
American's constitutional rights to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 
Firearms, and Explosives.
  I don't think there could be any more evidence that David Chipman is 
the wrong choice to serve as the top Federal administrator of firearms 
policy. He has a long record of hostility to lawful gun owners, a 
variety of complaints from those who worked with him in the past.
  How could it get worse?
  Mr. Chipman has suggested radical and sweeping steps, like banning 
private sales that are lawful, overriding State laws, and imposing 
sweeping restrictions on a class of weapons he has yet to clearly 
define.
  Among some current and former ATF agents, he has earned a concerning 
reputation as a ``bully'' and ``activist'' whose extreme views threaten 
to undermine the trust the Agency needs to conduct oversight. And 
sources within the ATF have also come forward describing alleged 
racially discriminatory comments the nominee made in the workplace 
regarding personnel decisions.
  So even a few days ago, it was not difficult to realize this is an 
instance in which the Senate, on a bipartisan basis, should take a 
pass. But somehow, in just the last few days, it has actually gotten 
worse.
  Earlier this week, news reports indicated that Mr. Chipman had failed 
to disclose to our colleagues on the Judiciary Committee a TV 
appearance he made several years ago. This wasn't just any TV 
appearance; Mr. Chipman had granted an interview to a propaganda 
network overseen by the Chinese Government.
  A new letter to the Senate, signed by seven former career ATF agents, 
summed it up this way: Mr. Chipman's views and record would ``create 
serious and long-lasting problems for the Bureau and the effective 
execution of its law enforcement mission.''
  The Senate has spent quite enough time flirting with this profoundly 
misguided nomination. The American people deserve a trustworthy steward 
leading the ATF, with a record of respecting their rights and 
respecting his or

[[Page S5995]]

her colleagues. It is long past time the Biden administration revisit 
this decision and send us somebody who fits that description.

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