The recent shooting death of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by immigration authorities in Minneapolis has intensified the debate surrounding funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This incident occurred just two days after Colorado’s U.S. House delegation voted along party lines on a crucial funding bill, complicating its prospects for approval in the Senate.
Prior to the shooting, Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet expressed their opposition to the DHS funding bill, a position mirrored by Colorado’s four Democratic representatives. Following the fatal encounter involving Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, both senators reaffirmed their stances. “This violence is wreaking havoc on our communities and it must stop,” Bennet stated on X (formerly Twitter) on March 16, 2024, the day before he participated in a protest in Denver. He further called for the removal of federal agents from urban areas and demanded the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Hickenlooper echoed these sentiments, stating, “ICE is out of control. Killing people, separating families, and terrorizing our communities. I’m a NO on the DHS funding bill.” The shooting of Pretti has not shifted the positions of House members regarding the funding measure, which is part of a larger package facing a deadline to avoid a partial government shutdown.
The Democratic representatives from Colorado condemned the shooting, while some Republicans have remained silent. Nationally, reactions have varied, with certain Republicans criticizing assertions made by former Trump administration officials that Pretti, who possessed a concealed-carry permit, should not have brought a firearm to an immigration enforcement protest.
On March 18, 2024, U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd, a Republican from Grand Junction, commented that the shooting “is a serious incident that warrants a full, independent, and transparent investigation before conclusions are drawn.” He emphasized the importance of restraint and sober judgment, advocating for the constitutional right to peacefully assemble and express views while maintaining public safety.
A spokesperson for U.S. Representative Gabe Evans stated over the weekend that he supports a thorough investigation into the incident. The House passed the DHS funding bill on March 14, 2024, with a narrow margin of 220-207, primarily along party lines. In contrast, a broader military funding package, which includes a 3.8% pay raise for service members, received bipartisan support, passing with a vote of 341-88.
As the Senate prepares to resume sessions, it faces the challenge of passing the remaining spending bills in time to prevent a partial government shutdown. Some Democratic support will be essential for the Republicans to advance the funding measures.
The following is how Colorado’s U.S. House delegation voted on the DHS funding bill:
– Diana DeGette (1), D-Denver: No
– Joe Neguse (2), D-Lafayette: No
– Jeff Hurd (3), R-Grand Junction: Yes
– Lauren Boebert (4), R-Windsor: Yes
– Jeff Crank (5), R-Colorado Springs: Yes
– Jason Crow (6), D-Aurora: No
– Brittany Pettersen (7), D-Lakewood: No
– Gabe Evans (8), R-Fort Lupton: Yes
As discussions continue, the implications of Pretti’s death and the evolving stance on immigration enforcement remain at the forefront of political discourse in Colorado and beyond.
