1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a nurse leader and on behalf of members of the nursing community who are grieving and deeply concerned following the death of registered nurse Alex Pretti on January 24, 2026. This tragedy demands immediate congressional oversight, accountability, and action. When the actions or policies of a federal agency result in the death of a healthcare professional, Congress has a constitutional obligation to respond. Nurses serve their communities in good faith, often at great personal risk. Any federal conduct that compromises the safety of nurses or the public must be fully examined. We formally call on Congress to: - Initiate a full, independent, and transparent investigation into the actions, policies, and leadership decisions of the Department of Homeland Security related to this incident; - Publicly release findings in a timely manner; and - Pursue impeachment proceedings against DHS leadership should the investigation reveal misconduct, negligence, abuse of authority, or violations of civil or human rights. Workplace and community violence already affects one in four nurses nationwide. Federal actions that further erode safety, trust, or accountability deepen an ongoing crisis within the healthcare workforce and undermine public confidence in government institutions. Accountability is not partisan—it is fundamental to democracy, public safety, and justice. Congress must act decisively to affirm that the lives of nurses and healthcare workers are protected, valued, and never treated as collateral damage. We urge your immediate attention and leadership on this matter.