Legislation
New Rep. Demings Legislation Introduced to Counter WMDs
(WASHINGTON) – Today Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) introduced new legislation (H.R. 8610) with House Homeland Committee Chair Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) to modernize the Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, and to formalize and expand the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Health Security. The Office of Health Security is critical to U.S. efforts to counter pandemics … Continue Reading
July 14, 2022
House Passes Critical Homeland Security Measures in NDAA, Including to Improve TSA’s Workforce, Address Inequities in Disaster Response, Protect Houses of Worship from Terrorism
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, lauded passage of dozens of homeland security measures in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (H.R. 7900), which passed the House of Representatives today. They include measures to improve pay and working conditions for TSA’s frontline workforce, address systemic inequities in Federal disaster assistance programs, and protect non-profits and houses of … Continue Reading
July 14, 2022
Chairman Thompson Announces Bipartisan Homeland Security Bills Passing the House
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives completed passage of three bipartisan homeland security measures that were debated on June 21st. “I am glad the House came together to pass these three bipartisan homeland security measures to make specialized training to investigate and prosecute cybercrimes available to State and local officials, bolster cybersecurity workforce training on … Continue Reading
June 07, 2022
Rep. Payne Bill to Protect Children from Natural Disasters Signed into Law
(WASHINGTON) – Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.’s bill, the Homeland Security for Children Act,was signed into law by President Biden today. The new law, formerly H.R. 4426, requires the Department of Homeland Security to include feedback from organizations that represent the needs of children in future department strategies, policies and plans. Rep. Payne, Jr. introduced the bill because hundreds to thousands of children can lose their parents, face food insecurity, and become … Continue Reading
May 19, 2022
Homeland Security Committee Advances Slate of 5 Bipartisan Homeland Security Bills
(WASHINGTON) – Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced that the Committee voted to favorably report five bipartisan homeland security bills. “I am glad the Committee was able to come together pass these five important bills, which include measures to enhance cybersecurity training, protect DHS research and development from foreign malign influence, strengthen protections for CBP officers who encounter fentanyl while carrying out … Continue Reading
May 16, 2022
Thompson Introduces Legislation to Protect DHS Seal After Two Charged with Impersonating Homeland Security Agents in April
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced the Department of Homeland Security Seal Protection Act (H.R. 7778) which bolsters the ability of the Department to prevent or pursue action against individuals, organizations, or businesses that fraudulently use the DHS seal to misrepresent endorsement or approval by the Department and harm the public. The DHS seal signifies the authoritativeness of the Federal … Continue Reading
May 16, 2022
House Passes Three Bipartisan Homeland Security Bills, Including Legislation to Expand Grant Program to Protect Houses of Worship from Terrorism
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed three bipartisan homeland security measures, including critical legislation introduced by Chairman Thompson and Committee Ranking Member John Katko (R-NY), the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act of 2022 (H.R. 6825), to expand and strengthen the homeland security grant program that help secure nonprofits and houses of worship against … Continue Reading
May 12, 2022
House Passes Legislation to Improve Conditions for TSA’s Frontline Workforce
(WASHINGTON) – Today, by a bipartisan vote of 220 to 201, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2022 (H.R. 903), legislation sponsored by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, to improve working conditions for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) workforce. The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act of 2022 will provide all 60,000 TSA employees … Continue Reading
May 05, 2022
Thompson, Warren Introduce Legislation to Address Federal Disaster Response Inequities
(WASHINGTON) – Today, in the midst of Hurricane Preparedness Week, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), introduced H.R. 7668/S. 4159, the Federal Emergency Management Advancement of Equity Act (or FEMA Equity Act), to address systemic inequities in the Federal government’s response to disasters and how it distributes assistance. Although low-income communities and communities of color are more likely to … Continue Reading
April 05, 2022
House Passes Five Bipartisan Homeland Security Bills
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed five bipartisan homeland security measures. Collectively, these bills not only seek to enhance transparency and accountability regarding substantiated allegations of whistleblower retaliation or misconduct within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and when an investigation of a terrorist incident is completed, but also to improve … Continue Reading
March 09, 2022
House Passes Four Bipartisan Homeland Security Bills
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed four bipartisan homeland security measures. These bills address the needs of cities seeking to preserve homeland security capabilities after they stop receiving homeland security grants, seek to ensure DHS law enforcement training programs are accredited, authorize cybersecurity education and training partnerships to support state and local … Continue Reading
February 28, 2022
Thompson, Katko Introduce Legislation to Expand Grant Program to Protect Nonprofits and Houses of Worship
(WASHINGTON) – Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Committee, announced the introduction of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act of 2022 (H.R. 6825), bipartisan legislation to expand and strengthen the Nonprofit Security Grant Program that helps secure nonprofits and houses of worship against terrorism. In recent years, there has been a surge in threats against nonprofits, … Continue Reading
February 15, 2022
Katko, Thompson Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Combat Human Trafficking
(WASHINGTON) - Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, introduced the Countering Human Trafficking Act. This legislation will enhance our nation’s ability to combat human trafficking, make the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) permanent, and increase coordination between DHS components and the Blue … Continue Reading
February 04, 2022
Chairman Thompson Applauds House Passage of the America COMPETES Act
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4521, the America COMPETES Act of 2022: "I am proud the House passed the America COMPETES Act today – legislation that holds the promise of preserving America’s place as a global economic leader for generations to come. This comprehensive and strategic package of largely bipartisan measures will … Continue Reading
January 25, 2022
House Committee Chairs Statement on Unveiling of the America COMPETES Act of 2022
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the House posted text of the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength Act of 2022. The America COMPETES Act of 2022 includes a historic investment to surge production of American-made semiconductors, tackles supply chain vulnerabilities to make more goods in America, turbocharges America’s scientific research and technological leadership, and strengthens America’s economic and national security at … Continue Reading
November 18, 2021
House Passes Three Bipartisan Homeland Security Bills
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed three bipartisan homeland security measures. These bills would encourage made in America DHS uniforms, improve the Department of Homeland Security’s acquisition review process, and improve travel at our airports for non-English speakers, international travelers, and people with vision or hearing impairments. “I am pleased to see the … Continue Reading
October 26, 2021
Committee Advances Slate of 12 Bipartisan Homeland Security Bills
(WASHINGTON) – Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced that the Committee favorably reported twelve critical, bipartisan homeland security bills. “I am proud to see the Committee continue to work together to pass critical bipartisan measures on a broad range of homeland security issues. These bills touch on everything from civil rights and civil liberties to port of entry infrastructure and cybersecurity to acquisitions and … Continue Reading
October 01, 2021
Clarke, Thompson, Katko, Garbarino Introduce Bipartisan Cyber Incident Reporting Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection & Innovation Subcommittee, along with Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Andrew Gabarino (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection & Innovation Subcommittee introduced the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure … Continue Reading
September 29, 2021
House Passes Bipartisan Homeland Security Bills
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives considered a slate of bipartisan homeland security measures, including legislation to improve supply chain security, prevent certain vehicle-based terrorism and targeted violence, ensure the unique needs of children are taken into account in homeland security policies, and improve cybersecurity in K-12 schools. "I am pleased the House came together today to … Continue Reading
September 24, 2021
House Passes Cyber Incident Reporting Legislation, Critical Cybersecurity and Homeland Security Provisions in NDAA
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, lauded passage of numerous bipartisan cybersecurity and homeland security measures in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (H.R. 4350), which passed the House of Representatives yesterday. “I am pleased by the overwhelming bipartisan support in the House for homeland security measures that tackle everything from DHS’ historic morale problems, to … Continue Reading