VIDEO: Sen. Moran Applauds Confirmation of ATF Director Robert Cekada

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) - chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) - today applauded the Senate's confirmation of Robert Cekada to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) by a vote of 59 to 39. Prior to the vote, Sen. Moran provided remarks on the Senate floor, supporting Mr. Cekada's nomination and urging the Senate to confirm him.

"In my capacity as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that provides funding to the U.S. Department of Justice, including ATF, I have had many opportunities to get to know Rob," said Sen. Moran. "He is an honorable man who believes in serving his community, enforcing the rule of law and promoting public safety. ATF is a significant component of our efforts to combat violent crime and support law enforcement, and I think no one is better prepared to lead this agency than Rob Cekada."

Items to note:

• In February, Sen. Moran introduced Mr. Cekada during his nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, calling on the committee to support his confirmation.
  
  
• In November 2025, Sen. Moran hosted Mr. Cekada, then Deputy Director of ATF, in Kansas to announce the relocation of ATF's Wichita Field Office to Wichita State University's Innovation Campus, where a new Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory is scheduled to officially open next month.

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran's Full Remarks

Sen. Moran's full remarks as delivered:

"Later this evening, the Senate will consider the nomination of Robert Cekada to serve as the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives - what we call ATF.

"In my capacity as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that provides funding to the U.S. Department of Justice, including ATF, I have had many opportunities to get to know Rob.

"In his current role as Deputy Director of ATF, Mr. Cekada is a 'law man.' He worked the front lines as a New York City police officer and rose through the ranks of ATF.

"He is an honorable man who believes in serving his community, enforcing the rule of law and promoting public safety.

"The ATF is a multi-faceted agency, and its regulations of firearms, a constitutionally protected right, has made it, at times, a politically challenging agency to lead.

"Rob's work and influence with state and local law enforcement is often demonstrated to me in the conversations I have with local sheriffs and police chiefs. Their respect for Rob is apparent, and Kansas law enforcement have shared with me how ATF's partnerships have helped reduce gun violence in their areas.

"This was evident when Rob was in Wichita last November to help announce the opening of ATF's new field office - an effort that reflected his commitment to strengthening partnerships on the ground and supporting law enforcement where they need it the most.

"That same approach carried through in the agency's broader work, including the leadership in crime gun intelligence, particularly through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, or NIBIN, which has been a game changer for fighting violent crime.

"In Kansas, Wichita State University supports this work, and next month, we will open a new Crime Gun Intelligence laboratory on campus, further expanding ATF's ability to provide cutting-edge forensic support to law enforcement nationwide.

"Simply put, ATF is a significant component of our efforts to combat violent crime and support law enforcement, and I think no one is better prepared to lead this agency than Rob Cekada.

"I urge my colleagues to support his nomination, and Madam President, I yield the floor."

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