Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene aim to defund ATF director via Holman rule.

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) Aim to Defund ATF Director

In a bold move, Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz have announced their intention to invoke the Holman rule to defund Steven Dettelbach, the director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In a letter addressed to House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger, the lawmakers expressed their strong criticism of the ATF’s actions, accusing the bureau of shutting down gun stores over minor clerical errors.

ATF’s Controversial Policies

Greene and Gaetz highlighted the ATF’s policy of demanding perfection in record keeping, which they argue even the bureau itself fails to meet. They further criticized the Biden Administration’s “zero tolerance” policy, claiming that it has resulted in the highest rate of revocations for Federal Firearms Licensees in 16 years. The lawmakers believe that this policy unfairly penalizes individuals for innocent mistakes.

Invoking the Holman Rule

To hold the ATF accountable for their alleged abuses of power, Greene and Gaetz plan to utilize the Holman rule. This rule grants Congress the authority to defund federal programs and make amendments to appropriations, including the ability to terminate government employees or reduce their salaries.

This is not the first time that both lawmakers have attempted to defund the ATF. Gaetz recently introduced legislation to defund the bureau, specifically targeting the legality of pistol stabilizing braces. Greene also made an attempt to defund the agency in 2021 following the death of a former Marine and Border Patrol agent during a gunfight with armed men attempting to rob drug smugglers.

ATF’s Abuse of Authority

Greene and Gaetz argue that it is time to hold ATF leadership accountable for their alleged abuse of authority. They claim that the bureau has overstepped its boundaries by abusing its rule-making authority and legislating through executive actions, undermining the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution. The lawmakers believe that a change is necessary to restore the proper balance of power.

The announcement of their new letter coincided with a congressional accountability field hearing led by Gaetz and Greene. The purpose of the hearing was to shed light on the alleged weaponization of the ATF and its increased targeting of federal firearms licensees. Several firearms dealers who testified at the hearing expressed feeling targeted by the government agency’s crackdowns.

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