Big name senators plead for agents' freedom

Sen. John Cornyn

With only one week left until Inauguration Day, lawmakers are urging President George Bush to pardon imprisoned Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean.

Today, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, released an open letter to the president pleading for their freedom.

"Because of the excesses of the prosecution against them, they will continue to sit alone in those cells for another decade," Cornyn wrote. "That is unless President Bush commutes their unjust sentences. In his remaining days as President, I ask President Bush to show mercy and use his clemency power to give back Agents Ramos and Compean the next 10 years of their lives."

Cornyn and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., have written two letters to President Bush urging him to commute the men's sentences. Cornyn has also spoken publicly in support of the agents.

While the senator agreed that law enforcement officers must be held accountable for their actions, he said the agents have endured enough.

"I have reached the conclusion as a Senator, a former judge, and a citizen, that the loss of their jobs and the prison time they have already served has been more than enough punishment," he wrote. "This is a case of prosecutorial overreaching."

Rep. Kevin Brady

Cornyn said Ramos and Compean were unfairly treated by federal prosecutors and should not have been charged with a federal gun crime that was not meant to be used against law enforcement officers.

"As a result, the penalty levied on these men was grossly excessive," he wrote. "… Let us hope that President Bush will hear these concerns and right the wrongs against Ramos and Compean."

Meanwhile, Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, is also asking Bush to commute the agents' sentences.

"These officers made mistakes, but their sentences were far too harsh. They have served enough time for their convictions," Brady told the Montgomery County Courier. "… President Bush needs to relieve these officers of the remainder of their sentences."