House Republicans Block Congressman Menendez’s Amendment to Protect Department of Veterans Affairs Workers Honoring the Life of Alex Pretti

Skip to content Close Home About Meet Rob Committees Issues Services Get Help How Can We Help You? Know Your Rights Congress On Your Side Support for Veterans Traveling soon? Anti-Spam Resources What happens if the government shuts down Stay Connected With Us Email Our Team Directly Sign Up For Our Newsletter Share Your Story Nominate a Constituent of the Month 2025 End-of-Year Report Stop ICE's NJ Expansion Federal Funding and Grants Apply for a grant Submit FY27 Appropriations Requests FY27 Community Project Funding Flags and Greetings Request a U.S. Flag Commendations and Greetings Student Opportunities Internships Service Academy Nomination Congressional Art Competition Visiting D.C. Request tours and tickets News Press Releases Contact Get Help Write to Rob Close Mobile Site Search SEARCH Congressman Rob Menendez About Meet Rob Committees Issues Services Get Help How Can We Help You? Know Your Rights Congress On Your Side Support for Veterans Traveling soon? Anti-Spam Resources What happens if the government shuts down Stay Connected With Us Email Our Team Directly Sign Up For Our Newsletter Share Your Story Nominate a Constituent of the Month 2025 End-of-Year Report Stop ICE's NJ Expansion Federal Funding and Grants Apply for a grant Submit FY27 Appropriations Requests FY27 Community Project Funding Flags and Greetings Request a U.S. Flag Commendations and Greetings Student Opportunities Internships Service Academy Nomination Congressional Art Competition Visiting D.C. Request tours and tickets News Press Releases Contact Get Help Write to Rob ES Modal Search Button Mobile Site Search Submit Search MENU ES Home News Press Releases May 13, 2026 House Republicans Block Congressman Menendez’s Amendment to Protect Department of Veterans Affairs Workers Honoring the Life of Alex Pretti 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: Barred funds from H.R. 8469 from being used to implement, carry out, or enforce the investigation of employees or workers at the VA for participating in vigils honoring the life of Alex Pretti. 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. Print Email Share Previous Article About Services News Contact Facebook Logo Twitter Logo BlueSky Logo Youtube Logo Instagram Logo