Press Releases
Thompson Statement on the Start of Hurricane Season
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the start of the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Congressman Thompson also called on Homeland Security Committee Chairman McCaul to lead a Committee visit to Puerto Rico - which is still recovering from the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Maria. “The 2017 hurricane season was unfortunately one of the most active, costly, and dangerous to date. … Continue Reading
May 31, 2018
Report: Secret Service Overpaid Millions to Presidential Campaigns for Travel Expenses
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report he requested on U.S. Secret Service travel cost reimbursement during the 2016 presidential campaign cycle. The report, titled "Presidential Campaign: Actions Needed to Address U.S. Secret Service Overpayments for Travel Costs" found that of the $17.1 million the Secret Service reimbursed to the … Continue Reading
May 29, 2018
Thompson Statement on New Hurricane Maria Death Toll Estimates
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the release of a Harvard University study estimating the death toll from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico at 4,645: “It is heartbreaking to learn that the more we closely examine the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, we get a clearer picture of the catastrophic loss of life caused by the storm and the Administration’s inadequate response. Multiple studies … Continue Reading
May 25, 2018
Thompson Statement on the Trump Administration’s ZTE Deal
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports that the Trump Administration has reached a deal to save the Chinese corporation ZTE, a known significant security and surveillance threat: “Any ZTE deal must not be allowed to move forward until we have a complete understanding of any national security risks associated with ZTE - including whether it is possible to mitigate those risks … Continue Reading
May 22, 2018
Thompson: Shocking Secretary Nielsen Hasn’t Read 2017 Intel Assessment, Isn’t Aware Russia Helped Trump
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Homeland Security Nielsen’s alarming comments after the House of Representative’s election security briefing today: “I was shocked to hear that Secretary Nielsen has apparently not bothered to read the January 2017 Intelligence Community assessment that Russia interfered in our elections and undermined our democratic process to help President Trump … Continue Reading
May 17, 2018
Thompson Statement on ICE Abandoning its Extreme Vetting Program
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has canceled plans for its Visa Lifecycle Vetting Initiative (VLVI), formerly referred to as the Extreme Vetting Initiative. “I am glad that DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreed with us that their plans for an automated extreme vetting system should be canceled. The original plans … Continue Reading
May 16, 2018
Congressman Thompson Introduces Resolution on ZTE
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced a Resolution of Inquiry directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide the Committee with all information and documentation it possesses related to the cybersecurity threats posed by the Chinese telecom corporation ZTE. ZTE has been considered a significant security and surveillance threat for years and has illegally sold its products to Iran and North Korea, … Continue Reading
May 15, 2018
Thompson Statement on White House Elimination of Cyber Coordinator
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that the White House has eliminated the position of Cybersecurity Coordinator on the National Security Council: “A lot has changed since the last time John Bolton served in the White House, but after just a month in the Trump White House he is already wreaking havoc on the National Security Council. With cyber threats ever-changing and growing … Continue Reading
May 15, 2018
Thompson to Speaker Ryan: Election Security Briefing Insufficient
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, released the following statement on news that Speaker Ryan has announced an election security briefing for members of Congress: “Unfortunately, due to it being in an unclassified setting, it is not possible for this last minute briefing scheduled by House Republicans on election security to be able to go into the … Continue Reading
May 15, 2018
Thompson, Richmond: Delayed Cyber Strategy Shows DHS is Behind
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA), Ranking Members of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee, released the below statement on the release of the Department of Homeland Security’s delayed Cybersecurity Strategy. Rep. Richmond originally authored the language in the FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act (Section 1912) mandating the Strategy (original bill … Continue Reading
May 07, 2018
Thompson Statement on DHS Policy Change to Separate Families at Border
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports that the Department of Homeland Security has changed its policy to refer all adults crossing the border between ports of entry for prosecution. This policy change will result in the separation of families. “This misguided policy is another statement of cruelty from President Trump’s Department of Homeland Security. Let it be clear: the … Continue Reading
April 15, 2018
Thompson Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombings
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the fifth anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings: “Today marks five years since we faced terror on our shores at the Boston Marathon. Let this anniversary be a day to honor the lives of the victims as we keep their families in our prayers. The survivors of that horrific day continue to serve as beacons of hope and resilience for the entire nation. … Continue Reading
April 09, 2018
Thompson: DHS Media Monitoring Proposal Deserves Strict Scrutiny
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports that the Department of Homeland Security wants to set up a “Media Monitoring Service” to identify and track hundreds of thousands of reporters, news outlets, and social media accounts. “Americans are right to question DHS’s proposal to monitor hundreds of thousands of reporters, news outlets, and social media accounts. With an … Continue Reading
April 04, 2018
Thompson Statement on President Trump Wanting to Send the Military to the Border
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump’s intention to deploy the military to the border: “President Trump’s statements about deploying our military to the U.S.-Mexico border and downplaying the strength of our laws do little more than stoke anti-immigrant hate. I strongly question whether the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense weighed in on this … Continue Reading
March 28, 2018
Thompson, Ellison Statement on Trump Ending Liberian Immigration Program
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement after President Trump announced that he will end the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program, which has allowed Liberian immigrants to remain in the United States and work legally. “President Trump’s decision to abandon Liberians who have long resided in and contributed to our communities is an outrage. These are … Continue Reading
March 22, 2018
Thompson Statement on Omnibus
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the FY2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act: “The omnibus, while not perfect, represents a bipartisan rejection of President Trump’s appalling budget.” “With the inclusion of election security funds, Congress is finally starting to recognize that protecting our elections must be a national security priority. Now, states will be able to use the … Continue Reading
March 21, 2018
Thompson Statement on Election Security Funds in Omnibus
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, released the following statement on news reports that the Omnibus will provide modest election security funding. "I am pleased that budget negotiators have accepted the Election Security Task Force’s November and February requests to fund technology grants to allow states to secure their elections and upgrade their … Continue Reading
March 21, 2018
Thompson Demands Election Security Hearings After Homeland Security Chairman Backtracks
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after receiving written notice from Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) that he will not convene a hearing dedicated to election security as he indicated publicly on March 7th. While promising to work with Democrats on this issue as soon as possible, Chairman McCaul said: "I look forward to working with you to conducting a full hearing on this … Continue Reading
March 19, 2018
Thompson, Richmond, Jackson Lee: Austin Bombings Must Be Classified as Terrorist Attacks
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA), and Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security Ranking Member Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) released the follow statement on the terrorist bombings in Austin, Texas: “Our prayers continue to be with the victims of the Austin bombings and their families. We continue to offer our support as the federal government and local … Continue Reading
March 17, 2018
Thompson Statement on the Firing of Andrew McCabe
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the firing of Andrew McCabe from the Federal Bureau of Investigation: “The firing of FBI Deputy Director McCabe yesterday was a dark moment for our country and democracy. To be clear, it was an obvious act of pure malice and political retribution. It is pathetic that President Trump choses to ignore the rule of law at will and only cares about … Continue Reading