WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Rob Menendez called out House Republicans for refusing to consider his amendment to H.R. 8469 – legislation that provides FY 2027 appropriations for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”). Menendez’s amendment would bar spending taxpayer dollars on investigating employees for participating in honoring the life of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota earlier this year, following reports of targeted and punitive investigations by the Trump Administration.
“Today, we presented House Republicans with an opportunity to protect VA employees who are being targeted for honoring Alex Pretti – a fellow VA worker who was killed by Border Patrol officers in broad daylight,” said Congressman Menendez. “Instead of standing up for our federal employees, House Republicans chose to allow the Trump Administration to intimidate and punish dedicated VA employees grieving the loss of a colleague and friend with baseless investigations.”
Menendez’s amendment would have:
Congressman Menendez has been a leader on oversight of ICE. Earlier this year, Menendez was on the ground in Minnesota for a field hearing, listening to the testimony of victims of ICE, Border Patrol, and DHS’s abuses, and state and local elected officials.
