Press Releases
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on President Biden’s Executive Order on AI
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on President Biden signing a landmark Executive Order on artificial intelligence (AI): “Rapid advances in AI technology create novel risks and opportunities for our homeland security. I applaud President Biden’s leadership in issuing this new executive order that seeks to harness the great potential in AI for detecting cyberattacks, illicit drugs, and other … Continue Reading
September 29, 2023
Ranking Members Thompson and Raskin Issue Statement Following Ninth and Final Voluntary Transcribed Interview with Border Patrol Sector Leadership
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, issued the following statement after the Committees’ voluntary transcribed interview with U.S. Border Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle, Deputy Chief Patrol Agent of the Yuma Sector: “Committee Republicans have now completed a six-month process of interviewing the leadership of all nine southwest Border Patrol sectors while forcing them … Continue Reading
September 26, 2023
Ranking Members Thompson and Raskin Issue Statement Following Eighth Voluntary Transcribed Interview with Border Patrol Sector Chief
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, issued the following statement after the Committees’ voluntary transcribed interview with U.S. Border Patrol Agent Gloria Chavez, Chief Patrol Agent of the Rio Grande Valley Sector: “Today is the eighth time Committee Republicans have forced a Border Patrol Sector Chief away from their duty station to confirm what we already know: … Continue Reading
September 11, 2023
Ranking Member Thompson Marks 22 Years Since the September 11 Attacks
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement commemorating the twenty-second anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks: “Twenty-two years ago, we tragically lost 3,000 of our fellow Americans in the deadliest terror attack in our history - profoundly altering our way of life in our Nation. Today, we pledge to Never Forget and remember the lives lost, including the brave first responders who … Continue Reading
September 08, 2023
Thompson, Payne Release Statement on DHS’s First ‘Report on Homeland Security for Children’
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), released the below statement on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) releasing its first Report on Homeland Security for Children, which was mandated in the Homeland Security for Children Act (P.L. 117-130). This law, authored by Rep. Payne, Jr., ensures DHS is taking the needs of children into account when implementing its strategies, policies, … Continue Reading
September 06, 2023
Ranking Members Thompson and Carter Mark Start of National Preparedness Month
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Troy Carter (D-LA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, mark the start of National Preparedness Month. Both will serve as National Preparedness Month Congressional Co-Chairs this year. “Climate change is increasing extreme weather events across the Nation. Recent examples include the Maui wildfires - the worst wildfires in over 100 years - … Continue Reading
August 28, 2023
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on the Shooting in Jacksonville
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the shooting in Jacksonville this Saturday: “The tragic shooting in Jacksonville on Saturday targeting Black Americans was not only an act of hate – it was an act of domestic terrorism, plain and simple. Sadly, it is just the latest example of an individual with malice toward Black Americans being emboldened to inflict violence … Continue Reading
August 21, 2023
Thompson Statement on Extreme MAGA Republicans’ Baseless Subpoena to DHS in Absurd Impeachment Quest
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green subpoenaing the Department of Homeland Security for immigration data: “It is absurd that extreme MAGA Republicans running our Committee have subpoenaed the Department while the Department has been working with them to get them what they need and has been producing and transmitting requested … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
Thompson Releases Statement on ICE’s Stewart Detention Center After Inspector General Report
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement in response to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Report on the Office’s Inspection of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. Inspectors found that the facility did not meet standards for its special management units or custody classification as well … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Thompson Blames Senate and Congressional Republicans for Expiration of Chemical Security Counterterrorism Program
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement blaming the Senate and Congressional Republicans for the critical Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program lapsing at midnight last night, ceasing all regulatory functions of the program until at least September, possibly longer. “It is reprehensible that the Senate is leaving town without extending the authorization for our … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Thompson, DeLauro Celebrate Largest Ever Boost in Pay for TSA’s Workforce of 60,000+
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Committee on Appropriations, released the below statements celebrating that this week, the Transportation Security Administration’s workforce of 60,000 will get their first substantial pay raise, along with expanded collective bargaining rights, since the agency was created in 2001. This boost was the result of funding … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Ranking Members Thompson and Raskin Issue Statement Following Seventh Voluntary Transcribed Interview with Border Patrol Sector Chief
(WASHINGTON) – Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, issued the following statement after the Committees’ voluntary transcribed interview with U.S. Border Patrol Agent John Modlin, Chief Patrol Agent of the Tucson Sector: “Today’s interview marks the second time this year that Republicans have called Chief Patrol Agent Modlin to spend hours before Congress away from … Continue Reading
July 14, 2023
Oversight and Homeland Security Democrats Release New Information Undermining Congressional Republicans’ False Claims About the Border and Baseless Impeachment Investigation
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released a joint Committee memo debunking Congressional Republicans’ false claims about the conditions at the southwest border in support of their baseless efforts to impeach Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Democratic memorandum provides key excerpts from transcripts of interviews with … Continue Reading
July 13, 2023
Thompson, Swalwell Release Statement on Administration’s National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan
(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 Subcommittee on Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Protection, issued the below statement on the Biden-Harris Administration releasing the National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan: “We commend the Administration for releasing the implementation plan that accompanies White House’s National … Continue Reading
June 29, 2023
Ranking Members Raskin and Thompson Issue Statement Following Fifth Voluntary Transcribed Interview with Border Patrol Sector Chief
(WASHINGTON) - Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, issued the following statement after the Committees’ voluntary transcribed interview with U.S. Border Patrol Agent Scott Good, Chief Patrol Agent of the El Paso Sector: “For the fifth time, Republicans have taken valuable time away from a Border Patrol Sector Chief only to have him confirm that the robust resources provided by … Continue Reading
June 14, 2023
Ranking Member Thompson Hearing Statement - Case closed: Extreme MAGA Republicans only care about impeaching Secretary Mayorkas
(WASHINGTON) - Americans have gotten used to political theater from congressional Republicans, but this hearing is a new low. You don’t have to look further than the title to know this hearing is a sham. Calling a hearing and saying “case closed” before you’ve heard any testimony is not legitimate oversight. It’s obvious this hearing isn’t really about border security. It’s not even really about Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas or the Department of … Continue Reading
June 02, 2023
Ranking Members Thompson and Raskin Issue Statement Following Fourth Voluntary Transcribed Interview with Border Patrol Sector Chief
(WASHINGTON) - Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, issued the following statement after the Committees’ voluntary transcribed interview with U.S. Border Patrol agent Joel Martinez, Chief Patrol Agent of the Laredo Sector: “With the Committees now having completed their fourth transcribed interview with Border Patrol Sector Chiefs, we have drawn the same conclusion as at every … Continue Reading
May 11, 2023
Thompson, Carter, Titus, Higgins Announce Creation of the Disaster Equity and Building Resilience Caucus
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Reps. Bennie G. Thompson, Troy A. Carter, Sr., Dina Titus, and Brian Higgins announced the creation of the Congressional Disaster Equity and Building Resilience Caucus to promote the benefits of resilience and the need for equity in the country’s disaster preparedness and response infrastructure. Research has shown that racial minorities, rural areas, low-income communities, tribes, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and children are all more likely to … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
Ranking Member Thompson Floor Statement in Opposition to H.R. 2, the Child Deportation Act
Watch video here (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. 2, the Child Deportation Act: This cruel, inhumane, and unworkable bill was written in an extreme MAGA Republican echo chamber. Consideration of H.R. 2 today — under a closed rule — is a cynical move on the part of Republicans to exploit the … Continue Reading
May 05, 2023
Thompson, Carter Statement on Government Report on FEMA Hiring and Staffing Shortfalls
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Ranking Member of the Emergency Management & Technology Subcommittee, released the below statement on a new U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report they requested on hiring and staffing shortfalls in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster workforce. This report comes after Committee Democrats held two … Continue Reading