President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he plans to nominate B. Todd Jones as the permanent director of ATF, the National Journal reported.
Jones was installed as the acting director in Sept. 11, 2011 as part of a house-cleaning effort after Operation Fast and Furious became a major controversy and liability to the agency.
Since 2006, the Journal reported, the director job has required Senate approval. No one has been confirmed since then and the agency has operated with acting directors.
Pro-gun lobbying groups like the NRA have been behind efforts to undermine the confirmation of ATF directors.
But since the Connecticut shootings, the NRA’s influence in Washington may have suffered.
