Press Releases
Chairman Thompson: DHS OIG Must Restore Confidence in its Work
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General's (DHS OIG) retraction of reports that inaccurately painted FEMA's disaster response efforts in a favorable light. "The Office of the Inspector General is usually a reliable resource in ensuring DHS is performing adequately and using American taxpayer dollars appropriately. But the fact … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Thompson: Continued Humanitarian Crisis at Border Shows Trump Policies Have Failed
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news the humanitarian crisis at the border is worsening. "These numbers are yet another sign that the Trump Administration's border security and immigration policies are abject failures. We have a full-blown humanitarian crisis, which is being exacerbated by the Administration's inhumane treatment of migrants in custody. "Democrats are ready and willing … Continue Reading
May 31, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on OIG Alert Detailing Dangerous Overcrowding of Migrants and Unacceptable Conditions at Border Patrol Facility
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) management alert released today with photos and findings detailing a dangerous overcrowding of single adults at the El Paso Del Norte Processing Center: "The photos in this report make it clear that DHS has completely and utterly failed at handling the humanitarian crisis at … Continue Reading
May 29, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on Conclusion of Mueller Investigation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the conclusion of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation: "Robert Mueller's parting remarks to the American people were a warning. After more than two years of honorable service as Special Counsel, he painted a disturbing picture of Russian efforts to interfere in our 2016 elections and rightfully observed that the issue deserves the attention of … Continue Reading
May 26, 2019
Chairman Thompson: Spread of Doctored Videos Shows We Must Do More to Secure Our Elections and Stop Fake News
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the need to improve election security and stop the propagation of fake news: "Doctored videos like this are not only vile, partisan trash, they are a sad omen of what is to come in the 2020 election season. When it comes to preventing election interference and the propagation of fake news, the Administration has failed to lead and Republicans in Congress … Continue Reading
May 02, 2019
Thompson, Richmond Statement on Cyber Workforce Executive Order
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Chairman of the Committee's Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Innovation Subcommittee, released the following statement on news the President signed an Executive Order directing the federal government to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity workforce: "We have known for some time that the national and global demand for skilled cybersecurity … Continue Reading
May 02, 2019
Thompson, Rose: Social Media Companies Must be Transparent About Efforts to Counter Terrorism
(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, released the below statement on the status of a letter the subcommittee sent to members of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) - Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Microsoft - requesting their budgets to prevent the spread of online content from terrorists and extremists. The request … Continue Reading
May 01, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on the Emergency Supplemental Budget Request
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump's emergency supplemental request to Congress to appropriate an additional $4.5 billion toward border efforts: "House Democrats understand that there is a humanitarian crisis at the border, and we stand ready and willing to provide necessary resources to help fix this challenge and alleviate the suffering of thousands. But this crisis … Continue Reading
May 01, 2019
Velázquez, Thompson, Grijalva on HUD Interference in Puerto Rico Probe
(WASHINGTON) Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), the Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), the Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, and Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement regarding news reports that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) may have impeded an Inspector General review of whether the agency delayed hurricane relief to Puerto Rico: "We've seen time and again Donald Trump's … Continue Reading
April 25, 2019
GAO Report: DHS, FEMA Disaster Recovery Contracting Process Needs Major Fixes
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the release of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report he requested on the DHS and FEMA contracting process for disaster recovery efforts. The report, entitled "Actions Needed to Improve the Use of Post-Disaster Contracts to Support Response and Recovery" found that: The contracting process for post-disaster recovery efforts lacks transparency due to "inconsistent … Continue Reading
April 18, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on the Redacted Mueller Report Release and the State of Election Security
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on redacted Mueller report: "The heavily redacted version of the Mueller report lays out in greater detail Russia's interference in the 2016 election and the involvement of Trump campaign officials. I am disturbed that the report itself - even in its redacted form - is inconsistent with the Attorney General's summary of it. To me, that only makes the case … Continue Reading
April 12, 2019
Chairman Thompson: Trump Plan to Use DHS As Political Weapon Shows Administration’s Depraved Immigration Agenda Is Not About Security
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news the Trump Administration proposed releasing migrants into targeted cities as political payback: "The fact that this idea was even considered - not once but twice - serves as a reminder that the Trump Administration's reckless immigration agenda is not about keeping the country safe, but about partisan politics and wantonly inflicting cruelty. … Continue Reading
April 10, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on the Dismantling of DHS Leadership
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the current state of leadership at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after many senior leaders have been forced out. According to news reports, more departures may be on the way. As of 2pm today, Secretary Nielsen has left the Department and the following positions at DHS have no permanent leader: Secretary Deputy Secretary Under Secretary for … Continue Reading
April 07, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on Nielsen Resignation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that Kirstjen Nielsen has resigned as Homeland Security Secretary: "Hampered by misstep after misstep, Kirstjen Nielsen's tenure at the Department of Homeland Security was a disaster from the start. It is clearer now than ever that the Trump Administration's border security and immigration policies - that she enacted and helped craft - have been an … Continue Reading
March 29, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on Secretary Nielsen’s Letter to Congress
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen's letter to Congress on the humanitarian situation at the border: "In her letter to Congress, the Secretary continues to confuse and mislead on the situation at the border and how we got to this point. President Trump's border security and immigration policies have failed, and the Administration deserves much of … Continue Reading
March 27, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on Facebook Announcing It’s Banning White Nationalism Content
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that Facebook is banning white nationalism content from its platform: "Finally, Facebook has acted to remove this vile and hate-filled content from its platform. While welcomed news, this should have happened long ago. We insist that Facebook ensures the public that it follows through on this promise, and that this announcement is not solely window … Continue Reading
March 15, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on New Zealand Mosque Attacks
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the terrorist attacks at mosques in New Zealand: "What happened in New Zealand was an act of terror and hate. Our prayers are with the people of New Zealand and everyone affected by the mass shooting attack. However, words of sympathy have no meaning if not backed up by action. We must all work together to counter domestic terrorism, including those who … Continue Reading
March 11, 2019
Chairman Thompson Statement on Trump’s Budget Request
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump's FY2020 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security: "The President's budget proposal is a fantasy document. It is the latest in a series of political stunts the President has attempted to extort money for his wall he promised the American people would not have to pay for. First, he shut down the government leaving the entire DHS … Continue Reading
March 05, 2019
Chairman Thompson & Rep. Luetkemeyer Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Partnerships between HBCUs and Homeland Security
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, along with Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), introduced H.R. 1494, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Homeland Security Partnerships Act, which would strengthen the partnerships between HBCUs and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “For nearly two centuries, HBCUs have provided African Americans the opportunity to compete on a level playing field - and their … Continue Reading
February 27, 2019
Chairman Thompson to Lead Trip to Puerto Rico to Examine Hurricane Maria Recovery Operations
(WASHINGTON) - Tomorrow, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, will lead a trip to Puerto Rico to examine the current status of FEMA’s Hurricane Maria recovery operations. Joining Chairman Thompson on the trip will be Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Rep. Al Green (D-TX), and Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL). The trip will consist of meetings with Federal, territorial, and local officials, as well as with non-profits and community leaders. The trip … Continue Reading