Press Releases
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
March 15, 2018
Thompson Statement on Long Overdue Russian Sanctions
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that the Treasury Department has sanctioned Russian actors for interfering in the 2016 elections and for targeting our critical infrastructure: “The Trump Administration has finally come to its senses and has implemented sanctions for Russia's targeting of our critical infrastructure and interfering in our elections since 2016. Why this took … Continue Reading
March 04, 2018
Thompson Statement on State Department Inaction to Counter Russian Election Meddling
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that the State Department has not spent money allocated to counter Russian interference in our elections: “It is appalling that yet another government agency - now the State Department - seems to be asleep at the wheel in the face of Russia meddling in our elections. Although money was allocated by the Obama Administration for the exact purpose … Continue Reading
February 27, 2018
Brady, Thompson: Trump Abdicating His Oath of Office By Refusing to Act on Election Security
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Robert A. Brady (D-PA), released the below joint statement on the need for election security measures following Admiral Mike Rogers’ testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee today. At the hearing, the National Security Agency (NSA) Director and U.S. Cyber Command … Continue Reading
February 16, 2018
Thompson Statement on Russian Mueller Indictments
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Special Counsel Mueller’s indictment of Russians for election interference: “Today’s indictments of 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities underscore the Russian government’s commitment to interfere in our democratic processes and destabilize our democratic institutions, making implementation of the Congressional Task Force on Election … Continue Reading
February 16, 2018
Thompson Statement on FBI’s Failure to Follow Established Protocols
Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on FBI’s failure to follow established protocols after receiving a report of concern prior to the Parkland, Florida school shooting: “Today, we learned the FBI received a report of Nikolas Cruz’s disturbing behavior and desire to harm others prior to the Parkland, Florida school shooting. Tragically, proper protocols were not followed and the information was never … Continue Reading
February 16, 2018
Hearing on Election Security and Russian Interference Needed
Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) to request a comprehensive oversight hearing on the ongoing efforts by Russia and other foreign actors seeking to interfere in our elections - and to request consideration of the Election Security Act (H.R. 5011). This bill, introduced by Ranking Member Thompson and Members of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, would authorize … Continue Reading
February 15, 2018
Thompson Statement on Florida School Shooting
Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement in regards to the tragic shooting yesterday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida: “Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the students, faculty, staff, families, and friends who were affected by the tragic shooting in Parkland, Florida yesterday. Mass shootings have become all too common, as this tragic event marks our eighteenth school … Continue Reading
February 14, 2018
Election Security Task Force Releases Final Report & Recommendations
The Congressional Task Force on Election Security, chaired by House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Robert Brady (D-PA) released its FINAL REPORT including ten specific recommendations on what the federal government and states can and should be doing to secure our nation’s elections. Russia’s unprecedented assault on the country’s elections in 2016 - including targeting 21 states’ voting systems - … Continue Reading