U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, issued a statement following the murder of Alex Pretti, a Department of Veterans Affairs Intensive Care Unit nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.
“I am deeply saddened and outraged by the tragic death of Alex Pretti— a VA nurse who served Minnesota veterans in one of the most demanding VA health care jobs. He loved his job, his family, and his country. He was on the streets of Minneapolis Saturday morning peacefully protesting brutal, illegal ICE policies. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and coworkers at this painful moment. Alex’s service at VA deserves to be honored and elevated.
“Congress must demand an independent investigation immediately. We need bipartisan calls for justice—now.”
The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee is responsible for overseeing veterans' benefits and health care programs across the United States as part of its role within the U.S. Senate. The committee collaborates with entities like the Department of Veterans Affairs to advance legislation that improves services for veterans (https://www.veterans.senate.gov/). It has also played a significant part in expanding access to VA health care and supporting veterans’ transitions back into civilian life (https://www.veterans.senate.gov/).
Senator Blumenthal currently serves as ranking member while Jerry Moran serves as chairman (https://www.veterans.senate.gov/). The committee operates from offices in the U.S. Capitol complex and provides legislative oversight over veteran-related programs nationwide (https://www.veterans.senate.gov/).
Alex Pretti’s work at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center falls under areas overseen by this committee, which is tasked with enhancing health care and support services for veterans throughout the country (https://www.veterans.senate.gov/).
