Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Madeleine Dean (PA-04, Sean Casten (IL-06), and Lucy McBath (GA-07) led 55 colleagues in a letter urging Congressional Appropriations Committee Leadership to increase funding for the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) within the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the FY2025 government funding package.
“As you work to finalize the FY25 Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Appropriations package, we respectfully request that you include an increase of funding to $2 billion, or to the greatest amount executable, for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) within the Department of Justice (DOJ),” the lawmakers wrote. “Such an increase would support the Agency’s critical work in preventing and responding to gun crime and ensuring the safe manufacture, importation, and sale of firearms.”
ATF is the principal federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over firearms. ATF plays an essential role in safeguarding communities from gun violence, but it has limited resources to carry out its mission and is in dire need of additional funding.
“The ATF’s work is critical to protecting Americans from the scourge of gun violence and the influx of unsafe guns into our communities,” the lawmakers continued.
The letter was also signed by U.S. Reps. Thompson, Garcia, Johnson, Barragan, Cherfilus-McCormick, Holmes Norton, Amo, Goldman, Robin Kelly, Moulton, Lynch, Mullin, Brown, Porter, Frederica Wilson, Swalwell, Lieu, Dingell, Gottheimer, Sherrill, Bonamici, Raskin, Pettersen, Spanberger, Gwen Moore, Salinas, Nikema Williams, McClellan, Auchincloss, Torres, DeGette, Schakowsky, Crockett, Beyer, Danny Davis, Ivey, Vargas, Stevens, Sherman, McGarvey, Brownley, Chu, Horsford, Jacobs, Napolitano, Kildee, Tokuda, Ross, Scanlon, McGovern, Evans, Tonko, Magaziner, Deluzio, and Kennedy.
Brady and GIFFORDS endorsed the lawmakers' letter.
Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.
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