{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/wtas-local-officials-praise-ciscomanis-bill-stiffen-federal-penalties", "WTAS: Local Officials Praise Ciscomani\u2019s Bill to Stiffen Federal Penalties on Smugglers", "2023-09-25", "2023", "2023-09", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Juan Ciscomani", "C001133", "ciscomani.house.gov", "ciscomani", "https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "TUCSON, Ariz. \u2013 Local Arizona officials are praising U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani\u2019s (AZ-06) latest bill to stiffen federal penalties for smugglers involved in high-speed car chases with law enforcement. The proposed legislation would classify failure to yield as a felony and could lead to life sentences for smugglers if an officer is killed during such pursuits. You can find more information about the effort here.\n\nSupporting groups include the National Border Patrol Council, Heritage Action, National Sheriffs\u2019 Association, Western States Sheriffs\u2019 Association, Arizona Fraternal Order of Police, Cochise County Sheriff\u2019s Office, Pinal County Sheriff\u2019s Office, Yuma County Sheriff's Office, Cochise County Attorney\u2019s Office, Bisbee Police Department, Benson Police Department, and Sierra Vista Police Department.\n\nWHAT THEY ARE SAYING:\n\n\u201cI applaud and thank Congressman Ciscomani for his initiative to enhance our federal law enforcement\u2019s ability to apprehend those who violate our rule of law and endanger our citizens,\u201d said Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels, a member of the congressman\u2019s Advisory Council.\n\n\u201cThe Cochise County Attorney\u2019s Office is continuing to work in partnership with local and federal partners to address the dangerous behaviors committed by human smuggling organizations along the southern border,\u201d said Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre. \u201cFor far too long, there has been no federal consequence for fleeing from federal law enforcement along the border, further emboldening the actions of criminal organizations. CCAO is in complete support of this needed additional enforcement tool as we continue to seek a return to a safe and secure community for our residents.\n\n\u201cThe Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, instituted by Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), not only has a far-reaching affect within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexican Border but to every city, town and street in the USA,\u201d saidBenson Police Chief Greg Volker. \u201cI applaud Representative Ciscomani\u2019s passion for justice and the safety of every community.\u201d\n\n\u201cOver the last two years the Pinal County Sheriff\u2019s Office has seen a 477% increase in vehicle pursuits involving human smuggling,\u201d said Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. \u201cI know Border Patrol has faced the same issue, with no legal recourse to hold those fleeing accountable. I support the \u2018Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act\u2019 and commend Rep. Ciscomani for addressing these vehicle pursuits and for his efforts to hold those accountable who would put our citizens, local law enforcement and federal officers in danger. Please join us in supporting this bill so that our federal partners can have the necessary tools to help keep our streets safe.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation is an integral part of addressing the growing trend of Transnational Criminal Organizations using social media in recruiting juveniles and others to smuggle Individuals who have entered this country illegally and fleeing from law enforcement with no regard for public safety and the citizens we serve,\u201d said Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot. \u201cI applaud Congressman Ciscomani for introducing this effort to send a strong message to smugglers that their actions have serious consequences.\u201d\n\n\u201c[This bill] is a much-needed piece of legislation to help curtail the incidents we, as law enforcement, witness every day that endanger the public,\u201d said Bisbee Police Chief Timothy Cox. \u201cWe have seen countless high-speed chases in Bisbee and we applaud the congressman's efforts to make our communities safe and ensure that individuals who put us at risk are punished for breaking federal law.\u201d\n\n\u201cLaw enforcement officers in Arizona have dealt with the border crisis for far too long,\u201d said Paul Sheldon,President of the Arizona Fraternal Order of Police.\u201cArizona FOP is proud to see legislation that has real teeth and can actually help make a dent in this problem. Law enforcement in the United States starts at the border and we need strong laws to be enforced to help stop the flow.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe would like to thank Congressman Ciscomani for introducing the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act,\u201d said Brandon Judd, President of the National Border Patrol Council. \u201cAgent Gonzalez died in the line of duty last year and this legislation is both direly needed and fitting tribute to his sacrifice. This legislation makes it a crime to flee from Border Patrol Agents and local law enforcement that often assist us in vehicle pursuits. The penalties range from up to two years for fleeing to life imprisonment if the pursuit results in a death. The bottom line is that we need to change the calculus for those who endanger all of us who live along the border when failing to yield to law enforcement. This legislation does just that and the National Border Patrol Council is pleased to support it.\u201d\n\nThe bill, titled the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, is named after a Border Patrol agent killed in a high-speed chase last year while pursuing a group of illegal immigrants in Texas.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:37:48Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/wtas-local-officials-praise-ciscomanis-bill-stiffen-federal-penalties"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.100335968658328, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}