Press Releases
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on the Passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the passing of longtime Committee member Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX): "Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s presence was unmatched. She was a fighter, an intellect, and above all, a force. Her constituents were not only the people of Houston; they were the disadvantaged looking for an opportunity, the destitute looking for a new start in our … Continue Reading
June 26, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Supreme Court Decision Murthy v. Missouri
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the U.S Supreme Court decision, Murthy v. Missouri: “Today’s Supreme Court ruling in Murthy v. Missouri confirms what we have already known— Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) officials did not censor anyone’s speech. Instead, as Justice Barrett explained, ‘The evidence indicates that the platforms had independent incentives to … Continue Reading
June 04, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on President Biden’s Border Security Executive Action
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on President Biden’s executive action to restrict asylum at the border: “President Biden has acted in the face of Congressional Republicans cynically deciding to block bipartisan border security legislation. That being said, I am concerned about the impact of the Executive Order on vulnerable people coming to the United States for safety and protection. We … Continue Reading
May 28, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson, Committee Democrats Commemorate Border Patrol 100th Anniversary
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement commemorating the 100 “Today, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Border Patrol. It is important that we honor the service and sacrifices of the men and women of Border Patrol and their families, past and present. Since its creation, Border Patrol agents have shown commitment and dedication to safeguarding our Nation by securing … Continue Reading
May 23, 2024
New GAO Report Details Border Patrol's Inconsistency in Handling Migrant Possessions; Recommends Additional Guidance
Today, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on U.S Customs and Border Protections’ (CBP) handling of migrant possessions and the need for more standardized practices and oversight. The GAO report was prompted by a November 2022 letter sent by Representatives Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), and Joaquin Castro (D-TX). The GAO report validates concerns that Border Patrol needs to issue clarifying guidance on handling … Continue Reading
May 21, 2024
Chairman Green, Ranking Member Thompson Announce Microsoft President Will Testify on Company’s Security Shortcomings Following Hack of Government Accounts
(WASHINGTON) - Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) and Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that Microsoft Vice Chairman and President Brad Smith will testify before the Committee on June 13, at 2pm ET. The hearing will examine the company’s security shortcomings, challenges encountered in preventing significant cyber intrusions, and its plans to strengthen security measures following the Cyber Safety Review Board’s (CSRB) report on the … Continue Reading
May 16, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Celebrates TSA and AFGE’s New Collective Bargaining Agreement
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reaching a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), effective May 24. This is the first Collective Bargaining Agreement for TSA’s frontline workforce that closely resembles other Federal agencies and includes new topics such as: grievance and … Continue Reading
May 07, 2024
Thompson, Swalwell Release Statement on the Biden Administration Releasing the First Cybersecurity Posture of the United States Report
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Protection subcommittee, released the below statement on the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) releasing its first Report on the Cybersecurity Posture of the United States: “A major reason for Congress establishing the Office of the National Cyber Director was to ensure greater … Continue Reading
April 25, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Releases Statement on DHS School Safety Report
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) release of its Efforts to Enhance Security of K-12 Schools and Childhood Education Programs Report. It details the procedures and initiatives implemented by DHS to enhance collaboration among the Department’s offices responsible for ensuring the safety and security of early childhood education programs, including … Continue Reading
April 24, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Passing of Congressman Payne, Jr.
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on passing of Committee member Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ): “Today we mourn the loss of our colleague, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. Congressman Payne, Jr. was a thoughtful legislator, a dear friend, and a man of such a kind and affable nature that he was well-liked and respected by Members on both sides of the aisle even during the … Continue Reading
April 20, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Lauds Failure of Extreme Republican “Border” Bill
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on H.R. 3602, the extreme MAGA Republican failure-by-design “border” bill, failing in the House today: “I am glad the House today rejected the Republicans’ extreme border bill that was not only cruel and inhumane, but would not secure the border. Not only did their bill fail, it received fewer votes than their extreme border bill did last year, which the … Continue Reading
April 19, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson: Extreme MAGA Republican Failure-by-Design “Border” Bill So Bad It Would Bar American Kids from Commercial Flights
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, delivered the following remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives in opposition to H.R. 3602, the Extreme MAGA Republican Failure-by-Design “Border” Bill: I rise in strong opposition to this sideshow. Consideration of H.R. 3602 today is a cynical move meant to appease Republicans who refuse to provide aid to fight autocrats and terrorists unless they get to deport migrant … Continue Reading
April 17, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Mayorkas Impeachment Ruled Unconstitutional in Senate
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the U.S. Senate ruling the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas unconstitutional: “The Senate was absolutely correct today in ruling the impeachment of Homeland Secretary Mayorkas as unconstitutional, finally ending this baseless political stunt. Without any high crimes or misdemeanors, there is no valid impeachment. Thankfully, the Senate … Continue Reading
April 16, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Republicans Finally Transmitting their Sham Articles of Impeachment to the Senate
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on House Republicans finally transmitting their sham articles of impeachment to the Senate after an over two-month delay: “As extreme MAGA Republicans dramatize their march to the Senate to transmit their baseless articles of impeachment, let me reiterate: this entire process has been a sham from the start. Despite what you’ll hear from Republicans, these … Continue Reading
March 27, 2024
Thompson, Clarke Release Statement on CISA Cyber Incident Reporting Proposed Rule
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), released the below statement on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) releasing its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA), legislation authored by Reps. Clarke and Thompson. “We commend CISA for its work in issuing the NPRM for the Cyber Incident Reporting for … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Passage of Government Funding Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement after the House passed the minibus government funding package: “The bipartisan spending package the House passed today, while far from perfect, is a major advancement in funding the Department of Homeland Security. Crucially, it covers the budget shortfalls that CBP and ICE were previously facing and excludes the poison pill policy riders that Republicans … Continue Reading
March 11, 2024
Thompson Statement on the Administration’s Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security
Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the President's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): “I commend the Biden-Harris Administration for prioritizing investments in the DHS workforce, Federal cybersecurity, and disaster resilience while upholding a commitment to humane border enforcement. However, I remain concerned about the Administration’s reliance on emergency … Continue Reading
February 14, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson: ICE Reducing Operations, Releasing Detainees a Direct Result of Republicans’ Political Games and Governing Failures
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on news reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will soon be forced to reduce operations and release significant numbers of detainees because of Republicans refusing to fund the nation’s border security operations - or even consider bipartisan border security legislation: “Republicans have been playing with fire for months, by refusing to fund … Continue Reading
February 13, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Republicans’ Sham Impeachment
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on extreme MAGA Republicans impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in the House of Representatives after their first attempt failed last week: “After Extreme MAGA Republicans’ first impeachment vote turned into an epic fail on the House floor last week, the tainted vote tonight was an absolute travesty. Extreme MAGA Republicans, at the … Continue Reading
February 06, 2024
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Republicans’ Sham Impeachment Failing in the House
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on extreme MAGA Republicans in the House of Representatives failing to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: “I am glad that tonight a few honorable Republicans stood up for the Constitution and against the extremists running their party. This sham impeachment vote failed because it had no foundation in the Constitution. It failed because … Continue Reading