POLITICAL NOTEBOOK
U.S. Rep.
Jason Altmire, D-4th, Tuesday issued a statement in response to the resignation of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acting Director Kenneth Melson.Melson’s resignation comes after controversy surrounding two ATF initiatives: “Project Gunrunner” and “Operation Fast and Furious.”“Under Mr. Melson’s leadership, the ATF has neglected its most important duty: to prevent the purchase and use of firearms by those who could wreak havoc on our communities.” Altmire said.“The ATF needs a fresh start, and I hope the president will use this opportunity to appoint someone willing and capable of working with Congress to responsibly enforce the laws regarding the sale and use of firearms.”This year, Altmire joined 30 Democrats in sending a letter to President Obama
expressing concerns over the lack of response to congressional inquiries into those two ATF programs.The programs were intended to monitor weapon purchases by suspected gun smugglers. Recent reports have indicated that ATF allowed suspected smugglers to buy large quantities of firearms illegally.In addition, the ATF lost track of weapons sold in the program.———HARRISBURG — State Legislators for Legal Immigration, founded by state Rep.
Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, on Monday denounced the recent executive order by the Obama administration to re-prioritize and individually review more than 300,000 illegal immigrant deportation cases.The new mandate will require the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to review deportation cases to weed out the “low-priority” illegal aliens. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel were told to use “prosecutorial discretion” when determining whether to pursue a case.The memo includes “positive factors” that should be considered, including individuals in the U.S. since childhood; pregnant or nursing women; and being a minor or being elderly.In a news release, Metcalfe said, “This deplorable act of treasonous deceit circumvents the balance of power established by our Founding Fathers in Article 4, Section 4 of the United States Constitution, established to protect all 50 states against invasion.”The group said allowing “low priority” illegal immigrants to remain in the U.S. will increase the tax burden on legal residents.
