Legislation
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
January 29, 2020
Thompson Bill to Improve TSA Frontline Workforce Approved by Committee
(WASHINGTON) - Today, by a vote of 17-9, the House Committee on Homeland Security favorably reported bipartisan legislation sponsored by Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) to improve the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) frontline workforce. The Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act (H.R. 1140), as amended will ensure Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) are afforded the same rights and protections afforded to other Federal workers under Title 5 of the U.S. … Continue Reading
January 28, 2020
Thompson Bill to Protect Churches, Synagogues, and Mosques from Terrorism Becomes Law
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced that legislation he sponsored, the Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019 (H.R. 2476), has been signed by the President and has become law. This bipartisan legislation authorizes $375 million over the next five years for the Department of Homeland Security's Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides grants to nonprofits and … Continue Reading
December 13, 2019
Thompson Lauds Domestic Terrorism Government Report Provision Included in Bipartisan NDAA
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, lauded the inclusion of legislative language on domestic terrorism in the Conference Report of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This language is based on legislation he authored, the Domestic & International Terrorism DATA Act (H.R. 3106), which passed the House in September. The NDAA Conference Report passed the House this week and is set to pass the Senate and be signed … Continue Reading
November 21, 2019
Rose Introduces Raising the Bar Act to Address Terrorist Content on Social Media
(WASHINGTON) – Congressman Max Rose, Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence & Counterterrorism, introduced legislation today to help hold social media companies accountable and stop the spread of terrorist content online in a way that would “raise the bar” on how well social media companies shut down terrorist activity on their platforms. “Social media companies have become institutions in our society and have a responsibility to stop the … Continue Reading
October 22, 2019
Legislation Introduced to Create Commission to Study Proliferation of Terrorist Content Online
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced H.R. 4782, the "National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act" to address the proliferation of terrorist content on social media and other online platforms. In the wake of deadly white supremacist attacks in cities from Christchurch, New Zealand to El Paso, Texas, where the attackers exploited online platforms in furtherance of their acts of violence and … Continue Reading
July 09, 2019
Chairman Thompson to Introduce Legislation to Address Border Humanitarian Crisis
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced that he will be introducing legislation to address the humanitarian crisis at the border. The Strategic and Humane Southern Border Migrant Response Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to take a smarter approach to addressing conditions for migrant families and unaccompanied children seeking asylum while combatting human smugglers and trafficking operations targeting … Continue Reading
June 28, 2019
Chairman Thompson Introduces Legislation to Improve FEMA’s Advance Contracting Process
(WASHINGTON) - This week, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced legislation to improve FEMA's advance contracting process, based on recommendations from a recent audit by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). If passed, H.R. 3500, the Federal Advance Contracts Enhancement (FACE) Act, would require FEMA to ensure more effective use and management of its advance contracts for goods and services. "Recent hurricanes like Irma and Maria … Continue Reading
June 26, 2019
Thompson, Richmond Introduce Legislation to Improve Coast Guard Academy
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation, introduced two pieces of legislation to improve the Coast Guard Academy. H.R. 3488, the Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act, introduced by Chairman Thompson, would help improve diversity at the Academy, a response to the low levels of minority enrollment at the Academy and … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Chairman Thompson, Committee Democrats Introduce Legislation to Bolster Domestic Terrorism Data Transparency and Research
June 5, 2019 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced H.R. 3106, the Domestic Terrorism Documentation and Analysis of Threats in America Act, or the Domestic Terrorism DATA Act, in order to foster transparency surrounding domestic terrorism data and increase research on the issue. "Domestic terrorism, fueled largely by a surge in white supremacist extremism, presents a growing threat to the security of our homeland. In … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Thompson, Grassley Reintroduce American Red Cross Transparency Act
WASHINGTON - Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today introduced legislation to give the congressional watchdog arm complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes. The bipartisan, bicameral American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2019 responds to concerns that the Red Cross tried to quash a review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of its practices, successfully limiting the scope of the … Continue Reading
May 10, 2019
Thompson, Lofgren, Sarbanes Introduce Comprehensive Election Security Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Chairperson of the Committee on House Administration, and Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), Chair of the Democracy Reform Task Force, introduced H.R. 2660, the Election Security Act - legislation to help protect our elections against malevolent attacks and foreign interference. Russia's unprecedented assault on the country's elections in 2016 exposed serious national … Continue Reading
May 02, 2019
Chairman Thompson, Bipartisan Group of Representatives Introduce Legislation to Help Protect Non-Profits Including Synagogues, Churches, and Mosques From Terrorist Attacks
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security - along with Reps. Peter King (R-NY), Max Rose (D-NY), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), and Troy Balderson (R-OH) - introduced legislation to ensure necessary Federal support to protect the safety of non-profits at risk of terrorism, including synagogues, mosques, churches, and other places of worship. "It's a sad fact that our houses of worship are living under the threat of … Continue Reading
February 28, 2019
Chairman Thompson Introduces Bill to Improve DHS Workforce Morale
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) introduced legislation to improve morale among the 240,000 employees of the Department of Homeland Security. H.R. 1433, the Department of Homeland Security Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement (DHS MORALE) Act would create and catalogue leadership development opportunities, identify and address factors that impact employee engagement, and recognize employee contributions. “It’s unfortunate that the … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
Thompson Introduces Coast Guard Academy Diversity Reform Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the introduction of new legislation to improve diversity and institute other necessary reforms at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act (H.R. 6905) is a response to the low levels of minority enrollment at the Academy and news accounts of allegations of a discriminatory and racially hostile environment at the Academy. Congressman Thompson … Continue Reading
September 12, 2018
Thompson Introduces HBCU and Homeland Security Partnership Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Homeland Security Partnerships Act (H.R. 6772). Under this legislation, DHS would be required to issue a strategy including yearly goals for enhancing partnerships with HBCUs and minority-serving institutions. This legislation also requires DHS to monitor and report on implementation of the strategy thereby ensuring the … Continue Reading
February 07, 2018
Vela Announces Introduction of the Border and Ports Security Act
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Congressman Filemon Vela (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Border and Maritime Subcommittee, announced introduction of H.R. 4940, the Border and Ports Security Act along with the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS). This bill, which has the full support of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), would increase U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)’s capacity to screen passengers and facilitate trade at international … Continue Reading
November 28, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces Legislation to Enhance Security of Surface Transportation Assets
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Vice Ranking Member on the House Committee on Homeland Security, announced the Surface Transportation and Public Area Security Act of 2017. If enacted, the legislation would restore, revamp, and resource important programs aimed at securing critical soft targets, such as railroads, buses and the public areas of airports. The bill would also greatly enhance federal partnership with state and local stakeholders to protect these vital transit systems … Continue Reading
November 02, 2017
Thompson Introduces Air Cargo Security Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2017 (H.R. 4176). This legislation directs the Transportation Security Administration to take a number of steps to enhance air cargo security efforts and requires TSA aggressively move towards addressing current and future threats to air cargo. A foiled overseas ISIS terror plot this summer underscores the need for improving air cargo … Continue Reading