[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 12, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3235-S3236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONFIRMATION OF STEVE M. DETTELBACH

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, today the Senate voted on the 
nomination of Steve Dettelbach to be the Director of the Bureau of 
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives--ATF. I commend President 
Biden for nominating Steve, who I know will excel as ATF Director at a 
time when enforcement of our country's gun laws is so critical.
  As gun violence continues to plague our country and as mass shootings 
become more and more common, it is

[[Page S3236]]

hard not to feel paralyzed by the endless tragedy. But we must take 
action. I am proud to reflect on this body's efforts to pass the 
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law by 
President Biden last month.
  But we must do more, and we must continue to do all that we can to 
prevent these senseless tragedies from occurring in the first place. 
That is why this confirmation vote today was so crucial. The ATF is 
charged with enforcing our Nation's gun laws, but the Agency has been 
without a Senate-confirmed Director since 2015. How can that be? In a 
time when firearms have become the leading cause of death among 
children in our country, how can we expect the ATF to fully function 
without a permanent Director? Finally, thankfully, that changes today.
  I know Steve personally, and I can attest not only to his strong work 
ethic, but to his extraordinary set of skills and professional 
experiences that will no doubt serve him well as ATF Director. Steve 
served on my Judiciary Committee staff as a detailee from the 
Department of Justice, a role requiring time-sensitive evaluations of a 
wide range of issues relating to criminal justice and law enforcement. 
I am grateful for his wise counsel during his 2 years on my staff, and 
I have taken a great deal of personal pride in observing all of his 
achievements and leadership roles he has held since that time.
  Steve has spent more than two decades as a prosecutor within the 
Justice Department, and was confirmed unanimously by the Senate to 
serve as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, a position he 
held from 2009 to 2016. Over the course of his 30-year career, Steve 
has demonstrated that he is a dedicated, principled, law enforcement 
official who is highly qualified to take on this position. With the 
passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Congress proved 
that it is not so paralyzed that it cannot take reasonable--rational--
steps to confront the scourge of gun violence. The Senate can further 
prove that today by confirming Steve Dettelbach to lead the ATF. There 
could be no one more qualified for this position.
  I regret that personal matters kept me from casting my vote in favor 
of Steve's confirmation today, but my enthusiastic support for his 
confirmation remains steadfast. I look forward to continuing that 
support by doing all that I can to ensure that Steve and the ATF have 
the resources they need to enforce our Nation's gun laws and protect 
our communities.
  It is no easy task, but I know Steve is ready. And I stand ready to 
support him, and I urge all other Senators to do the same 
today.

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