Democrat Draws Stark Parallel Between Border Patrol Agent Bill and Fugitive Slave Act

By Matthew Holloway |

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 35), generating starkly divided reactions among lawmakers. Arizona Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ6), the bill’s sponsor, praised it as a necessary protection for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, while Rep. Janelle Bynum (D-OR5) condemned it as “fear-mongering dressed up as officer safety,” likening it to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.

Named after a Border Patrol agent killed during a pursuit, the bill aims to make failing to yield to law enforcement a federal offense. If a chase involving an illegal immigrant leads to a fatality, the offender could face life in prison. “Every day, communities across my district experience high-speed car chases that endanger lives,” Ciscomani said, emphasizing the need for federal penalties against those involved in such incidents.

The legislation stipulates that individuals fleeing from Border Patrol within 100 miles of the U.S. border could face up to two years in prison. If an officer suffers injury, the penalties rise significantly, with a possible imprisonment of five to twenty years, and death resulting from such incidents could lead to life sentences.

The bill garnered a bipartisan vote of 264 to 155, showcasing some level of cross-party support despite vocal opposition. Bynum criticized her colleagues, asserting that H.R. 35 forces local police into roles akin to federal enforcers, reflecting a historical injustice akin to the Fugitive Slave Act.

Her remarks included a strong rebuke of the bill’s implications, stating, “Just like that shameful law, H.R. 35 forces authorities and encourages the deputizing of ‘randos’ to do the federal government’s work.” She urged her colleagues to reject the bill, framing it as a dangerous precedent.

In response, Ben Petersen, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, dismissed Bynum’s comments as an extreme position that undermines police safety. He argued that her stance endangers communities, claiming it favors the interests of criminal elements over those of law enforcement.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.