On the recordMay 8, 2012
Reclaiming my time, we have fully funded this. This would require a reduction of ATF salaries and expense accounts. A cut of this magnitude would result in the loss of 268 ATF personnel, including 111 agents. That's more than 4 percent of ATF's onboard agent staffing. It would require that each ATF remaining staff be furloughed for 5 days. We're at the amount. It's very important. You have my commitment. We'll fight to make sure that we save the amount. I don't know where the Senate is on this. It's very important. But to go above what the administration asked and to devastate the ATF, I think, would not be a good idea. So I'm committed to the program, but we're at the level; and I don't think we should go higher and devastate the ATF and bring about the number of RIFs and furloughs and reductions, particularly in so many important roles the ATF does.
