Senate Returns ATF Nomination To White House

The Senate did not vote on whether to confirm Andrew Traver as the next leader of the Bureau of Alcohol, sildenafil Tobacco, more about Firearms and Explosives this Congress, sending his nomination back to the White House on Wednesday.

Traver, the chief of the ATF’s Chicago office, faced strong opposition from the National Rifle Association. The gun rights organization said in a news release that he “has been deeply aligned with gun control advocates and anti-gun activities,” noting his involvement with the Gun Violence Reduction Project, a national program supported by police chiefs, and the Joyce Foundation, which pushes for tighter gun laws.

President Barack Obama nominated the 23-year ATF veteran on Nov. 17, but the Senate Judiciary Committee never acted on his nomination. Obama now must re-nominate Traver if he wants the Senate to consider him in the next Congress, which convenes in January.

The ATF has never had a Senate-confirmed appointee. Temporary appointees have led the ATF since a 2006 law gave the Senate the power to confirm the Director.-[source]