Tucson Standard

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) celebrated the House passage of his legislation to crack down on individuals who engage in high-speed car chases with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or law enforcement assisting CBP. The bill, known as the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 5585), aims to make failure to yield during a car chase a federal crime and impose life sentences for individuals responsible for any deaths that occur during the apprehension.

The legislation is named after Border Patrol agent Raul Gonzalez, who tragically lost his life in a high-speed chase in 2022 while pursuing a group of illegal immigrants in Texas. The House showed bipartisan support for H.R. 5585, with a vote of 271-154 in favor.

"Every day, high-speed chases initiated by smugglers jeopardize the safety of Arizonans," said Ciscomani. "For far too long, cartels and smugglers have not faced serious enough consequences when they blatantly endanger our communities. This bill signals to bad actors that we will pursue any action that threatens American lives to the fullest extent of our law. I'm thrilled that my House colleagues understand the necessity of this legislation, bringing it one step closer to being signed into law."

The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act has garnered support from various organizations, including the National Border Patrol Council, Heritage Action, National Sheriffs' Association, Western States Sheriffs' Association, Arizona Fraternal Order of Police, and several local law enforcement agencies.

"On behalf of rank-and-file Border Patrol agents nationwide, the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) is proud to support H.R. 5585," said Hector Garza, Vice President of the National Border Patrol Council. "We appreciate House Republicans' efforts to secure our lawless and chaotic border, protect the men and women on the frontlines, and make our communities safer. We also want to recognize and honor the life and service of Agent Gonzalez, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country – may he and his legacy never be forgotten."

The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act aims to send a strong message to individuals involved in high-speed car chases that their actions will have severe consequences. By making failure to yield a federal crime and imposing life sentences for deaths during apprehension, the legislation seeks to protect the safety of American communities and ensure that those who endanger lives face the full force of the law.

More information about the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act can be found [HERE](link).