Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Officers and Employees Protection Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. PFLUGER. Mr. Speaker, this bill is about accountability. It is about leaving no American behind. The safety of our Nation depends on our heroes who are willing to raise their hands and put their own lives on the line regardless of if they are at home or abroad.
Tragically, a current loophole in Federal law has allowed the killers of Jaime Zapata, a Texan and American hero, to escape the murder convictions and sentences that they were found guilty for, and justice must be served.
In 2011, as you heard the details already, Mr. Speaker, let's reiterate the two ICE agents, Jaime Zapata as well as Victor Avila, were deployed to Mexico to curb human and drug trafficking at our southern border. The two were ambushed and gunned down by members of a Mexican drug cartel who opened fire on them along Highway 57. Both agents were struck, and Jaime Zapata tragically died from his injuries.
Weeks after the ambush, seven of these killers were extradited to the United States, and two were found guilty of murder. But last year, a Federal appeals court dismissed the murder convictions on the basis that the district court did not have jurisdiction over the crimes that were committed against those law enforcement agents who were stationed outside of our borders.
This is unacceptable, as has been mentioned. Anyone who attacks a U.S. Federal agent who is protecting our country, whether at home or abroad, must be held accountable and must be brought to justice.
I am proud to support this legislation to work with my colleagues across the aisle, and I am proud of the bipartisanship that Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Cuellar, and so many others have brought forward today. It is very important. Again, this goes to the heart of accountability, and it goes to the heart of leaving no American behind.
I appreciate also the leadership of Senators John Cornyn and Chris Coons on this very important initiative. Our country's heroes deserve to know that those of us in Congress in a bipartisan way will hold those to account who break the law. It is so important for us to stand by law enforcement, especially those who are willing to give their all outside of our borders.
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