Skip to content

Legislation

May 12, 2021

Clarke, Garbarino, Katko, Kilmer, McCaul, Ruppersberger, Thompson Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help State and Local Governments Secure Their Networks

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize a new grant program at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities on State and local government networks. In recent years, State and local governments have been rich targets for … Continue Reading


April 30, 2021

Correa and Mast Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Small Businesses, Provide DHS Frontline Workforce with American Made Uniforms and PPE

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, & Accountability, and Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), introduced legislation to support U.S. small businesses by increasing the ability of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to purchase high-quality, American-made uniforms and personal protective equipment for frontline personnel. H.R. 2915, The Homeland Procurement Reform Act (HOPR Act) would: Require that at least … Continue Reading


April 20, 2021

House Passes Seven 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 seven bipartisan homeland security bills. Among the measures was Chairman Thompson's DHS MORALE Act which seeks to address longstanding morale and retention challenges within the Department of Homeland Security by directing a range of reforms including improved opportunities for leadership development, employee engagement, and career progression. "I … Continue Reading


March 18, 2021

Committee Passes Slate of Bipartisan Homeland Security Bills

(WASHINGTON) - Today, the Committee on Homeland Security, chaired by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), favorably reported seven critical, bipartisan homeland security bills. Three of these bills focus on protecting the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) frontline workforce and the traveling public now during the coronavirus pandemic and after it has abated. Additionally, the Committee voted to advance measures to the full House to bolster information sharing about threats to … Continue Reading


March 11, 2021

DeFazio, Thompson, Katko Re-Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to End Diversion of Passenger Security Fees, Bolster Funding for TSA

(WASHINGTON) - Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), along with the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and John Katko (R-NY) today re-introduced legislation to bolster funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and its workforce, ensuring that the agency has the necessary funds and resources to ensure the safety of America's air travelers, pay its dedicated Transportation … Continue Reading


February 05, 2021

Homeland Security, Appropriations, Transportation, and Oversight Leaders Introduce Bill to Improve TSA Frontline Workforce

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson, Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa L. DeLauro, Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio along with Homeland Security Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard re-introduced legislation to ensure that … Continue Reading


December 22, 2020

Congress Passes Thompson Legislation to Establish a DHS Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship Program

(WASHINGTON) - Yesterday, Congress passed the omnibus spending bill which included H.R. 8993, the Department of Homeland Security Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship Program Act, legislation sponsored by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security. The legislation is expected to be signed by the President imminently. The Department of Homeland Security Intelligence and Cybersecurity Diversity Fellowship Program Act establishes a new … Continue Reading


December 18, 2020

House Passes Thompson Legislation to Improve FEMA’s Advance Contracting Process

(WASHINGTON) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed S.979, the Senate companion to legislation (H.R. 3500) sponsored by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security. The Federal Advance Contracts Enhancement (FACE) Act passed with a vote of 386-1. The bill passed the Senate last year and now heads to the President's desk for his signature. This legislation will improve FEMA's advance contracting process, based on recommendations from an … Continue Reading


November 20, 2020

Chairman Thompson and Committee Democrats Introduce DHS Reform Legislation

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, along with Committee Democrats, introduced major legislation to reform the Department of Homeland Security. President Trump, for the past four years, has used DHS as a political weapon. From his cruel immigration and border agenda to his effort to escalate tensions around lawful protests for his political gain, the public's trust in DHS has eroded. Further, the Trump Administration has been … Continue Reading


September 30, 2020

Richmond, Katko, Kilmer, McCaul, Ruppersberger, Thompson, Underwood Laud Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Help State and Local Governments Secure Their Networks

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Reps. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), John Katko (R-NY), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL) marked House passage of H.R. 5823, the State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation they introduced to authorize a new grant program at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities on State and local government networks. In recent … Continue Reading


August 03, 2020

Rose and Thompson Announce Legislation to Ensure Proper Oversight of DHS Intelligence Products

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Max Rose (D-NY), Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, announced they are introducing legislation to strengthen protections against abuses of civil rights and civil liberties by the intelligence arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by restoring vital checks on the Office of Intelligence and Analysis … Continue Reading


July 31, 2020

Chairs DeFazio and Thompson Introduce Legislation to Rein in Federal Protection Statute that Trump Administration is Using as Cover for Civil Rights Abuses in Portland, Oregon

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) introduced the "Prevent Federal Law Enforcement Abuse in the Protection of Federal Property Act," legislation to strengthen and clarify 40 U.S. Code § 1315, the statute the Trump administration is abusing in order to deputize Federal employees of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including … Continue Reading


June 18, 2020

Underwood Introduces New Legislation to Strengthen America’s Resilience Against Disinformation During Coronavirus Pandemic

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, introduced new legislation to strengthen America's resilience against disinformation during crises like the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Overseas and domestically, the increased use of deepfakes, manipulated media, and online bots to spread disinformation has become an emerging homeland security threat that threatens public health and safety. The Protecting Against Public … Continue Reading


May 27, 2020

Engel, Thompson, Deutch, Rose Introduce Legislation to Create National Counterterrorism Commission

(WASHINGTON) - Reps. Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security; Ted Deutch, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism; and Max Rose, Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, today introduced the National Commission on U.S. Counterterrorism Policy Act, legislation to establish a national … Continue Reading


May 01, 2020

Congressional Leaders Introduce Legislation to Help States and Communities Respond to COVID-19 by Shifting Federal Cost Share for Emergency Declarations

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Emergency Management, and Public Buildings Dina Titus (D-NV), Chairwoman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), … Continue Reading


May 01, 2020

Correa, Titus, Payne, Demings Introduce Legislation to Address Coronavirus and its Impact on TSA’s Workforce

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Members of the Committee on Homeland Security introduced new legislation to address the impact coronavirus has had on the Transportation Security Administration's frontline workforce. During the coronavirus pandemic, TSA's 49,000 Transportation Security Officers, along with thousands more Federal Air Marshals and canine handlers, have continued to do their job protecting our skies despite the high risk of contracting the virus. As of today, May 1, 509 TSA employees have … Continue Reading


April 01, 2020

Chairman Thompson and Committee Democrats to Introduce Coronavirus Commission Legislation

(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released legislation he will be introducing in the coming days to establish an independent, bipartisan, Congressionally-chartered commission to produce a full and complete accounting of the nation's preparedness and response to the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Given the magnitude of COVID-19 on all aspects of national life, this bipartisan Commission, modeled after the 9/11 … Continue Reading


March 05, 2020

House Passes Thompson Bill to Improve TSA Frontline Workforce

(WASHINGTON) - Today, by a bipartisan vote of 230 to 171, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act (H.R.1140), legislation sponsored by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Committee on Appropriations, to improve the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) frontline workforce. The bill will ensure Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) are … Continue Reading


February 11, 2020

Chairman Thompson Lauds Passage of Legislation to Strengthen Partnerships between HBCUs and Homeland Security

(WASHINGTON) - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, announced House passage of H.R. 1494, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Homeland Security Partnerships Act, legislation which would strengthen the partnerships between HBCUs and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). "Minority communities are disproportionately impacted by natural hazards and disasters. It is imperative that the students from those communities - HBCU … Continue Reading


February 10, 2020

Richmond, Katko, Kilmer, McCaul, Ruppersberger, Thompson, Rogers Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help State and Local Governments Secure Their Networks

(WASHINGTON) - Today, by Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize a new grant program at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities on State and local government networks. In recent years, State and local governments have been rich targets for cyber … Continue Reading