Press Releases
Thompson Statement on Nice Attack
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement condemning the attack in Nice, France yesterday: "Today I stand with those around the globe in condemning the terrible attack in Nice. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of France and all affected by this tragedy. This is an unfortunate reminder that we must remain vigilant to defeat the ideologies that fuel this terror and hate. While we wait … Continue Reading
July 15, 2016
NRC Must Do Better In Regulating Sales of Radioactive Materials
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement in response to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report out today on The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and its oversight of the selling of radioactive materials. In the report, entitled "NRC Has Enhanced the Controls of Dangerous Radioactive Materials, but Vulnerabilities Remain," GAO reveals that it was successful in creating a sham company to … Continue Reading
July 14, 2016
TSA Behavior Detection Program Still Flawed, Unproven
(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 Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) verification review of the Transportation Security Administration's Behavior Detection and Analysis (BDA) program, previously known as the Screening of Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) program. "Today's verification review from the DHS Inspector General serves … Continue Reading
July 14, 2016
Worldwide Threats to the Homeland: ISIS and the New Wave of Terror - Hearing Statement
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following opening statement for the full Committee hearing on Worldwide Threats to the Homeland: ISIS and the New Wave of Terror: “Unfortunately, today, the Nation finds itself in a period of heated rhetoric fueled by fear. Today, Americans legitimately fear infiltration by the violent ideology espoused by ISIL. Last month’s horrific terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida, underscores … Continue Reading
July 11, 2016
Thompson Statement Opposing FAA Extension
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement opposing the FAA extension: "While I commend the leadership of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for negotiating language to enhance aviation safety, I oppose this FAA extension because of the potential-job-killing provision inserted in the homeland security portion of the package. Understandably, after the airport attacks in Brussels and … Continue Reading
June 17, 2016
Thompson Remembers Charleston Shooting, Renews Call for Hearing on Domestic Terrorism
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement marking the anniversary of the terrorist attack and shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston South Carolina. Today, Ranking Member Thompson also sent a letter to Rep. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, requesting a hearing on the threat of domestic terrorism. Despite numerous requests and the clear … Continue Reading
June 16, 2016
Republican Bill Just an Empty Gesture After Orlando
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement after speaking on the House floor on H.R. 5471 - the Republican response to the Orlando mass shooting. The legislation combines and repackages three homeland security bills that the House has already passed. Since these bills are already pending in the Senate, repassing these bills has no effect. "There is one thing we do know beyond the shadow of a … Continue Reading
June 12, 2016
Thompson Statement on Orlando Mass Shooting
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the massacre and mass shooting in Orlando Florida today: "I want to echo the President's important words today and condemn these heinous acts of terror in Orlando. This kind of violence and hate cannot be tolerated. In this terrible time, I will continue to keep the families of those in Orlando in my prayers." "I have been in contact with the … Continue Reading
May 27, 2016
Bipartisan Bill to Ease Congestion at TSA Screening Checkpoints
(WASHINGTON) - At the start of a busy travel weekend, Ranking Members of the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Homeland Security Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), along with Representative Bob Dold (R-IL), introduced bipartisan legislation that would help ease congestion and long lines at TSA screening checkpoints at airports. In 2013, Congress began diverting one-third of the revenue collected from the airline passenger security fees to offset unrelated … Continue Reading
May 25, 2016
Ranking Member Thompson Hearing Statement on TSA Lines
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following opening statement for the full Committee hearing: "Long Lines, Short Patience: The TSA Airport Screening Experience": "To be clear, the flying public expects and deserves efficient, safe, secure, reliable air transit. The Transportation Security Administration finds itself at the center of the Federal government's efforts to ensure secure passage of passengers and cargo. As … Continue Reading
April 28, 2016
Ranking Member Thompson Hearing Statement on Guantanamo
(Washington) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the below opening statement for the Subcommittee on Oversight and Management Efficiency hearing on "Transferring Guantanamo Bay Detainees to the Homeland: Implications for States and Local Communities": "Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States faced the question of what to do with so-called "unlawful combatants" captured in military operations in Afghanistan … Continue Reading
April 26, 2016
GOP Bill Ignores Domestic Terrorism Threat
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the House of Representatives will consider H.R. 4820, the so-called "Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act" - legislation that is being misleadingly sold as enhancing the Department of Homeland Security's efforts against terrorist propaganda but actually is nothing more than a politically charged bill that ignores the totality of the terrorist threats we face. By repeatedly refusing to include any mention of domestic terrorism in this bill, Republicans are advancing a … Continue Reading
April 15, 2016
Thompson Statement on the 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 third anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings: "It has been three years since lives were lost during the Boston Marathon Bombing and our nation again faced terrorism on our shores. On that day, Boston and the nation showed great resolve, and ultimately the victims and their families received justice. After Boston, we continue to improve … Continue Reading
March 22, 2016
Statement on Attacks in Brussels
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the attacks in Brussels today: "These latest attacks remind us that terrorists will stop at nothing to inflict harm and destruction in the heart of our cities. As we work to understand the origins of these attacks, it is a stark reminder that we remain vigilant under the threat of terrorism. I urge all of our international partners to cooperate and to … Continue Reading
March 16, 2016
Ranking Member Thompson Hearing Statement - FY2017 DHS Budget
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following statement for the full Committee hearing entitled "DHS in Today's Dangerous World: Examining the Department's Budget and Readiness to Counter Homeland Threats": "Today's hearing invites us to take a broad look at the threats that we face in the United States and how DHS is positioned to challenge them. The current threat posed by foreign terrorist organizations such … Continue Reading
February 09, 2016
DHS Budget Reflects Cuts to Homeland Security First Responders
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the President's FY 2017 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): "The Administration's release of its FY 2017 budget request for DHS reflects the reality that indiscriminate budget cuts - called for under the rigid budget caps - undermine national security and domestic priorities. Under this budget it's first … Continue Reading
February 03, 2016
Ranking Member Thompson Hearing Statement on Visa Security & Refugee Vetting
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following opening statement for the hearing: "Crisis of Confidence: Preventing Terrorist Infiltration through U.S. Refugee and Visa Programs": "Given the evolving threat environment, it is proper for this Committee to examine both the visa security and the refugee vetting processes. Last month, in separate incidents, two Iraqi refugees accused of having ties to the Islamic State … Continue Reading
January 13, 2016
Ebola Report Shows We Still Don’t Know Who’s In Charge
(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 Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) report on the federal government's Ebola response in 2014. In the report, entitled "DHS' Ebola Response Needs Better Coordination, Training, and Execution" (OIG-16-18), the Inspector General found that coordination between DHS and the Department of Health and Human … Continue Reading
December 17, 2015
Thompson Statement on the Cybersecurity Act of 2015
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Cybersecurity Act of 2015, legislation included in the omnibus spending bill to be considered tomorrow: "The Cybersecurity Act of 2015 has the potential to usher in a new chapter in our Nation's effort to address cyber threats. It seeks to create a safe space for companies who have been reluctant to share information about cyber threats on their … Continue Reading
December 08, 2015
Thompson Statement on Visa Waiver Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement in support of H.R. 158 - the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act, legislation which passed the House of Representatives today: "I am pleased that the House was able to come together and pass legislation today to strengthen the Visa Waiver Program. This legislation will strengthen passport requirements, enhance information sharing and visitor screening, … Continue Reading