Correspondence
Reps. Grijalva, Thompson, Vela, and Kirkpatrick Express COVID-19 Concerns, Demand a Halt to Border Wall Construction in Letter to DOJ, DOD, and DHS
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Filemon Vela (D-TX), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ) with House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson, sent a letter to the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security demanding an immediate halt to border wall construction to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The lawmakers highlighted the wasteful spending of federal funds on a border wall during a pandemic and the likelihood that an … Continue Reading
April 07, 2020
Chairs Thompson and Maloney Write FEMA on Coronavirus Response Supply Chain Issues
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, sent a letter to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inquiring about FEMA’s efforts to acquire and distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential medical supplies and equipment to states. Just yesterday, the Office of Inspector General of the Department … Continue Reading
April 02, 2020
Chairman Thompson Asks States for Assistance Tracking Medical Supply Requests and Deliveries
(WASHINGTON) - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, with other Committee members, sent letters to all of the nation's governors asking them to help the Committee account for medical supplies and equipment (such as ventilators, masks, etc.) requested from the Federal government and provided to U.S. States, territories, and the District of Columbia. The Committee has requested this information from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department … Continue Reading
April 01, 2020
House Committee Chairs Request Extension of Public Comment Periods During Coronavirus National Emergency
(WASHINGTON) - Fourteen House Committee Chairs sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Russell Vought today requesting an immediate extension of public comment periods, hearings and meetings due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Committee leaders asked that OMB direct agencies to extend public comment periods by at least 45 days beyond the end of the declared national emergency. The letter was signed by Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Homeland Security and Oversight and Reform Committees Question Deficient DHS IG Investigations and Raise Concerns About DHS IG Cuffari’s Leadership
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, each sent letters to Joseph V. Cuffari, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These letters request information and documents regarding numerous shortcomings in the review by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the deaths of two children in the custody of Customs and … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Thompson, Rose Write DHS on Reports of Extremists Seeking to Exploit Coronavirus Pandemic
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Max Rose (D-NY), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, sent a letter to Elizabeth Neumann, Assistant Secretary for Threat Prevention and Security Policy, at the Department of Homeland Security regarding the Federal government's efforts to counter potential homeland security threats from violent extremists who may seek to take advantage of the current … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Thompson, DeFazio, Payne, Titus Urge Trump to Eliminate Cost Share for States Under Coronavirus Disaster Declarations
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, and Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, sent a letter to President Trump urging him to, during the … Continue Reading
March 23, 2020
Thompson Writes DHS and HHS on Tracking Masks and Medical Supplies FEMA Is Shipping to States
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar regarding the personal protective equipment (PPE) and other critical medical equipment and supplies available in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) that FEMA is presently shipping to states. FEMA has been unable to provide any specific numbers regarding the availability … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Homeland Democrats Write TSA on Coronavirus Contingency Plans for Its Workforce, Flying Public
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), Chairman of the Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee, and other Democratic Members of the Committee, sent a letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding the protection of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) still serving on the frontlines at our airports during the coronavirus pandemic. An increasing number of officers have … Continue Reading
March 19, 2020
Chairman Thompson, Committee Democrats Write Trump to Request Federal Government Take Specific, Swift Action on Coronavirus
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Democratic membership of the Committee, sent a letter to President Trump asking him to take swift action by "harnessing the resources and capabilities of the Federal government" to stem the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. Specifically, they ask him to: Direct the DoD and HHS to dedicate the Federal government's purchasing power towards acquiring ventilators. Direct the DHS, … Continue Reading
March 17, 2020
Chairman Thompson Writes Secret Service for Campaign and Convention Coronavirus Contingency Plans
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to the Director of the U.S. Secret Service to request the Service's contingency plans related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of the presidential campaigns and the upcoming party conventions. Letter excerpts: I write to inquire about the plans in place for the United States Secret Service (USSS) to prepare for COVID-19 in the context of the presidential campaign as well … Continue Reading
March 12, 2020
Thompson Writes DHS, HHS, CDC on Rationale, Implementation Plan for Trump’s Travel Ban After Contradictory Statements
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Alex Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to request more information on the travel ban announced by President Trump last night. In the letter, Chairman Thompson requests the rationale for the travel ban, including all plans and … Continue Reading
March 04, 2020
Chairman Thompson Requests DHS, Candidate Protection Advisory Committee Immediately Meet to Determine Secret Service Protection for Democratic Candidates
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and the Members of the Candidate Protection Advisory Committee, asking them to immediately convene to decide whether to provide Secret Service protection to Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Senator Bernard Sanders. Letter text: As the process for nominating the Democratic candidate for President of the United … Continue Reading
February 21, 2020
Chairman Thompson Writes Acting DHS Secretary Wolf on Election Security Post ODNI Staff Shakeup
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on election security in the wake of the ODNI staff shakeup. In the letter, Chairman Thompson demands DHS remain forthcoming, honest, and candid about election security threats. Letter excerpts: "I am concerned, however, that the President's recent decision to remove certain ODNI officials for providing … Continue Reading
February 18, 2020
Top Homeland & Judiciary Democrats Condemn Deployment of Tactical CBP Agents to Various Cities in U.S.
(WASHINGTON) - In response to reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection will deploy law enforcement tactical units to targeted cities in retaliation for their immigration policies, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations Chairwoman Kathleen M. Rice (D-NY), and Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), sent a … Continue Reading
February 11, 2020
Chairman Thompson Demands Subpoenaed DHS Documents as the Department Continues to Stonewall Investigation into Deaths of Children in CBP Custody
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on the Committee's ongoing investigation of the circumstances surrounding the deaths of children in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody and the policies and procedures regarding medical care for children in CBP custody. Despite the fact that the Committee originally requested documents into this matter as far back as … Continue Reading
February 08, 2020
House Leaders Demand DHS Reverse Retaliatory Global Entry Ban on New York Residents
(WASHINGTON) - Reps. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, & Operations, and Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), sent a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf strongly opposing the decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to discriminate against … Continue Reading
January 31, 2020
Congressional Leaders Call for Immediate Halt of Trump Programs that Rush Migrants Through Asylum Screenings
(WASHINGTON) - Congressional leaders called on Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to immediately halt implementation of the Trump Administration's new asylum programs, Prompt Asylum Claim Review (PACR) and the Humanitarian Asylum Review Process (HARP). These programs do not help asylum seekers but instead systematically deny them due process, leave them in life-threatening circumstances, and ultimately deny the opportunity to justly seek asylum in the United States. The letter … Continue Reading
January 28, 2020
Chairman Thompson, Committee Leaders Request Information on DHS Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security; Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Vice Chairwoman; and Subcommittee Chairs Reps. J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Kathleen M. Rice (D-NY), Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA), Max Rose (D-NY) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM) sent a letter to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf requesting information on the Department of Homeland Security's efforts in addressing the health and … Continue Reading
January 27, 2020
Thompson Inquires on New Border Patrol Chief’s Involvement in Racist Social Media Groups
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Mark Morgan, Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), regarding the appointment of Rodney S. Scott as the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol. According to media reports, Mr. Scott engaged with at least one social media site in which CBP personnel communicated vulgar and discriminatory comments. In the letter, Chairman Thompson requests all investigatory … Continue Reading