BATF may move to Justice Department
In another step
toward realigning the government’s law enforcement operations, the White
House plans to ask Congress to consider moving the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms from the Treasury Department to the Justice Department.
The proposed move follows President Bush’s decision to send two other large
Treasury agencies - the U.S. Customs Service and the Secret Service - to the
proposed new Department of Homeland Security. The decision to move those two
agencies has prompted Treasury to review where BATF would best fit in the
government. The review indicated that BATF’s mission was focused on law
enforcement and more in tune with Justice, which is home to the FBI and the
Drug Enforcement Agency. There is still considerable debate on whether all
of BATF should move to Justice or if some of its functions should remain at
Treasury. The BATF has about 5,000 employees and an annual budget of more
than $850 million. The agency regulates the use of alcohol, tobacco, and
firearms.
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President George W. Bush |