Representative Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) issued a statement celebrating the House of Representatives passing his Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act for a second time.
Rep. Ciscomani's bill toughens penalties for refusing to yield a vehicle while being chased by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and other law enforcement into a federal crime. Additionally, killing someone during the apprehension would be a life sentence.
Rep. Ciscomani named the bill after Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez, who was killed in a high-speed chase pursuing illegal aliens in Texas in 2022.
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In remarks on the House floor, the Arizona Congressman said, "In Cochise County, high-speed car chases by cartel members, human smugglers, and other bad actors jeopardize the safety of our Customs and Border Protection agents, local law enforcement officials, and residents alike."
As a result, Ciscomani emphasized how the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act "delivers a clear message to anyone who endangers our community that they will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I thank House Republican leadership for bringing this bill to the floor so quickly and am glad that my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle understand the necessity of this legislation."
Moreover, he encouraged the Senate to pass the bill so President Donald Trump could sign it into law.
The Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act did not pass without opposition. Representative Janelle Bynum (D-OR) compared the bill to the infamous Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, saying, "Let's call this bill what it is: fear-mongering dressed up as officer safety."
In October, Ciscomani blasted former Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for refusing to bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote after it previously passed the House last January.
"It made sense, [it was] a common sense bill that tackled people that are endangering our community, and again, it made sense for the broad majority here that I mentioned," Ciscomani told Our America, adding, "Unfortunately, it sat in Chuck Schumer's desk, and he has not done anything with it."
