TX senators on Sullivan
Reader Tommy emails his senators’ letters on the confirmation. More of the same. They are below the fold.
Thank you for contacting me regarding the nomination of Mr. Michael Sullivan to the position of Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.
I believe it is essential to safeguard the right of every law-abiding citizen to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self protection. Restricting this right runs counter to the intent of our Founding Fathers, who expressly guaranteed that citizens would retain the right to keep and bear arms.
As a former Texas Supreme Court Justice and Attorney General, I have firsthand knowledge of crime-fighting policies that work, and I believe that citizens’ Second Amendment rights should not be restricted because of the actions of criminals. Rather, we must respect the rights of law-abiding citizens and focus our attention on the source of violent crime: criminals who use firearms to commit crimes. I believe that strictly enforcing the law and meting out longer sentences for career criminals and those who use firearms when committing crimes will reduce crime much more effectively than gun or equipment bans.
As you know, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination of Mr. Michael Sullivan to Director of the BATFE. I appreciate the opportunity to represent Texans in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind as Mr. Sullivan’s nomination is considered by the full Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator
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Thank you for contacting me regarding presidential nominations. I welcome your thoughts and comments on this issue.
Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution delegates the responsibility of nominating and appointing individuals to certain positions within the United States government to the U.S. president. The U.S. Senate plays a role in the confirmation of some presidential nominees, such as Cabinet officers, senior appointments in Cabinet Departments, Federal Supreme Court Judges, and other members of the federal judiciary. Senators have a constitutional responsibility to carefully consider each nomination, and this is a duty that I take seriously.
It is critical to our democracy to nominate well-qualified men and women to serve as presidential appointees. The entire selection process takes a tremendous amount of time and careful research. I know President Bush and his staff work diligently to ensure that each appointee has the best credentials and experience to efficiently manage his or her job responsibilities. I will continue to do all I can to see that qualified candidates obtain these important positions, and I will also pass along your concerns to my colleagues in the Senate.
I appreciate hearing from you and hope you will not hesitate to keep in touch on any issue of concern to you.
Sincerely,
Kay Bailey Hutchison
December 20th, 2007 at 11:38 am
That first one read a lot like mine.
The second one, even worse.
December 21st, 2007 at 10:56 am
Dear
Mr. BradfordI was very pleased to receive your letter(s). As you know, I always like to hear from concerned citizens such as yourself.
I, too am most interested in
the Bill of RightsI am also very interested in
your right to keep and bear armsSuch vital topics are very important, and it’s important that we continue to think about vital topics. I think about them every day.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me. I will most assuredly remember your views as I work for you in Congress
Very truly yours,
Senator Dorothy Doxer