| San Antonio, TX – The National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) has endorsed Congressman Tony Gonzales in the TX-23 runoff election. Tony Gonzales represents the largest border district in Congress, spanning over 800 miles of the southern border. NBPC is the exclusive representative of approximately 18,000 Border Patrol agents and support personnel assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol. “Border Patrol agents can count on Congressman Tony Gonzales to show up and have their backs. Not only has Gonzales been a leader in Congress pushing back against the disastrous policies of the Biden administration, but he was also instrumental in the efforts in the House to increase the well-deserved overtime pay of Border Patrol agents, delivering for our men and women in green. We strongly endorse him for reelection and appreciate his steadfast commitment to securing the border and providing a voice for our agents in Congress,” said Brandon Judd, President of the National Border Patrol Council. “Joe Biden has not only abandoned the men and women of Border Patrol, but he has undermined them at every turn. These agents put their lives on the line every single day to keep our country safe. I refuse to let this Administration vilify them and hang them out to dry. Border Patrol agents have my word that I will never stop fighting for them in Washington and will go toe-to-toe with anyone to make sure they get the support, benefits, and policy changes they demand. It is an honor to have the endorsement of the National Border Patrol Council and I’m proud to call them a partner in this fight to secure our borders,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. Congressman Gonzales represents four Border Patrol Sectors, more than any other member in the U.S. House of Representatives. Gonzales has introduced critical legislation to support Border Patrol and address the problems at our southern border: Security First Act – Requires DHS to improve hiring and retention efforts at Border Patrol; encourages DHS to upgrade border security technology; doubles funding for border security partnerships between Border Patrol and local law enforcement; and designates Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. BASE Act – Prevents federal funds from being used to require any Border Patrol agent to receive a COVID–19 vaccine (or to be terminated for declining a COVID-19 vaccine). Border Patrol Pay Parity Act – Provides special overtime pay authority for certain Border Patrol agents on the frontlines. James R. Dominguez Memorial Act – Renames the Uvalde Border Patrol checkpoint after fallen Border Patrol agent, James R. Dominguez. Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Amendment Act – Improves the overtime pay system for Border Patrol agents by providing more flexibility in how they determine their work schedules and receive overtime pay. SAFER Act – Combats asylum fraud and streamlines the deportation of unqualifying asylum-seekers to their countries of origin. Taking Action to Prevent Suicide (TAPS) Act – Commissions a specialized task force at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to address and prevent high suicide rates at CBP. In addition, Gonzales has helped appropriate millions of dollars to improve border security, quality of life, and hiring efforts at CBP. Achievements include new funding for: -Border technology innovation and procurement -Workforce care for CBP personnel (new mental health clinicians) -Additional Border Patrol agents -Increased overtime pay at U.S. Border Patrol -Operation Stonegarden (border security partnerships with local law enforcement) Gonzales is also leading the fight to restrict catch and release policies that have led to mass migrant releases, while increasing penalties for human smugglers and fentanyl dealers. ### | 
