WATCH: On Senate Floor, Kelly Talks About DHS Accountability and Funding
“Two Americans are dead at the hands of their government. That should demand the highest levels of accountability. It’s that simple.”
Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly took to the Senate floor to discuss the urgent need to bring accountability to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and his opposition to the agency’s funding this week.
Kelly also highlighted his Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, legislation to set clear use-of-force standards, increase transparency, and strengthen accountability for immigration enforcement operations—protecting communities while ensuring officers can safely address public safety and national security concerns.
This comes as Americans watched deeply disturbing videos of federal immigration agents sowing chaos across communities, including the killing of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Sen. Kelly speaks on the Senate floor.
Kelly called for accountability for the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti: “Two Americans are dead at the hands of their government. That should demand the highest levels of accountability. It is that simple. Instead, this administration has lied to the American people.
“They have slandered these Americans as terrorists. They have told us not to believe what we see with our own eyes. They blamed Alex Pretti because he was in lawful possession of a firearm. They have tried to block investigations into what happened.”
Kelly warned of ICE’s violations of Americans’ rights, in Phoenix and around the country: “We also know that these are not isolated incidents. Just the other day, ICE conducted a series of workplace raids at a sports bar in Phoenix. Places where families go to just have some wings and to watch the game. The agents wore masks and tactical gear. And I watched a video of ICE officers doing a drive by, spraying a woman in the face who was just standing on the sidewalk They sprayed her with mace. She was not doing anything wrong. They violated her constitutional rights.
“These are the actions of a rogue agency that is storming cities, violating the constitutional rights of Americans, and creating volatile situations where tragedies happen. This is not making Americans safer. It is clearly doing the opposite thing. And it has to stop.”
Kelly underscored the importance of the rule of law while protecting citizens: “I am the son of two police officers. From a very young age, I learned that law enforcement should exist to serve and protect people. We can enforce our laws without this chaos. We can enforce our laws without federal agents killing people in the streets of American cities.”
Kelly urged Republicans and Democrats to act: “We should demand that, as Senators, as Republicans and Democrats, as Americans. We should all demand better and we should use our power to make it happen.
“That’s why I will not vote for the Department of Homeland Security budget this week, because that agency needs and overhaul from the top down and the bottom up. That’s why the head of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, and the guy who everyone knows is calling the shots and running the show, Stephen Miller, both of them should be out of jobs because they have lost the trust of the American people.”
Kelly highlighted his bill to curb excessive force and require basic accountability from ICE: “I introduced the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act to rein in and stop this abuse of power. This bill sets limits on the use of force and the use of firearms by immigration agents. It restricts the use of tear gas, flash bangs grenades, and pepper balls. It requires body cameras to be used, and it restricts the use of face masks.
“It requires accountability and transparency, so that when someone is hurt or killed, the American people will get some answers. This is basic stuff. It should be what all Americans expect from law enforcement, and it should be something that both Republicans and Democrats alike can support.”
Click here to view and download Kelly’s remarks.
