Press Releases
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
December 06, 2015
Thompson Statement on the President's Address to the Nation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement following the President's Sunday night address to the nation on keeping the American people safe: "As the President outlined tonight, the threat posed by ISIL and those that may be radicalized by the terrorist organization's extremist ideology is real. The President's strategy is a continuation and strengthening of the hard work we … Continue Reading
December 04, 2015
Hoyer, Lofgren, Thompson Announce Support for Visa Waiver Program Improvement Bill
(WASHINGTON) - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Committee, announced their support for H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. In light of the recent Paris attacks, Reps. Hoyer, Lofgren, and Thompson worked with senior Republicans to draft this legislation in … Continue Reading
November 23, 2015
Nonpartisan Watchdog Releases Report on BioWatch Terror Surveillance Warning System
(WASHINGTON) - House and Senate leaders today expressed concern after a new report was released by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office on the Homeland Security Department's BioWatch program. The BioWatch program has been affected by false alarms and other problems since its deployment in 2003. As a result of the setbacks, local and state officials where BioWatch systems have been deployed have expressed a lack of confidence in the technology and have admitted they are hesitant … Continue Reading
November 19, 2015
Thompson Statement Opposing GOP Refugee Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, delivered the following prepared remarks on the House Floor in opposition to H.R. 4038, the GOP so-called "American SAFE Act". Ranking Member Thompson offered an alternative, H.R. 4079 - the "Secure Refugee Process Act", a pro-security, pro-compassion bill that would ensure the U.S. continues to maintain the most extensive interagency security screening process in the world. "We … Continue Reading
November 18, 2015
Ranking Members Thompson, Schiff and Lofgren Joint Statement on Syrian Refugee Bill on House Floor Tomorrow
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, released the following statement: For many Americans, the horrendous loss of life and scenes of chaos of the Paris terrorist attacks harkened back to our own … Continue Reading
November 16, 2015
Thompson Statement on Refugee Vetting Process
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the refugee crisis in Syria: The United States has a multi-layered system that vets people seeking to enter the country as refugees. This vetting process takes on average between 18 and 24 months. An individual seeking refugee status in the U.S. cannot step foot in the country until the Department of Homeland Security has made a determination of … Continue Reading
November 03, 2015
Levin, Thompson, Roybal-Allard, McDermott Statement on Customs Offset in Highway Bill
(WASHINGTON) - Today, four key Democratic Members expressed serious concern about a provision in the Senate-approved highway bill being considered by the House Rules Committee that would divert money away from the Customs User Fee Account to help offset the cost of the highway bill. Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI), Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Homeland Security Committee Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Lucille … Continue Reading
October 22, 2015
Thompson: Secret Service Needs Reform Now to Address Cultural & Operations Problems
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) Management Alert "Secret Service Staffing and Scheduling Contributed to Officer Fatigue" "The issuance of this urgent management advisory by the Inspector General is an extraordinary act aimed at getting the Secret Service, at the highest levels, to recognize that the agency's … Continue Reading
September 29, 2015
Committee Unveils Foreign Fighter Task Force's Final Report
(WASHINGTON) - The Homeland Security Committee's bipartisan Foreign Fighter Task Force released its final report at a press conference today. The Task Force conducted an extensive, six month review to assess the severity of the threat from individuals who leave home to join jihadist groups overseas and to identify potential security gaps. As world leaders meet at the United Nations today to discuss the foreign fighter threat, the Committee presented 32 key findings and recommendations to … Continue Reading
September 16, 2015
Report Finds Lack of Federal Oversight of Red Cross Disaster Assistance
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the oversight mechanisms of the American Red Cross. The report was requested by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, after unorganized and mismanaged responses to significant natural disasters - including Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The report, entitled "American Red Cross: Disaster Assistance Would Benefit from … Continue Reading
September 11, 2015
Thompson Statement on the Anniversary of September 11
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement commemorating the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks: Fourteen years ago, we faced enormous tragedy and loss. Today we pay homage the victims of the terrorist attacks, honor the heroic actions of the first responders, and recognize the resilience and resolve of the American people. While we have made great strides in the fight … Continue Reading
September 11, 2015
Ranking Member Thompson Announces Support for Iran Nuclear Agreement
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement announcing the support of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached between the P5+1 nations and Iran: Following thorough consideration, I have decided that I will support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action made with Iran. Although not perfect, the agreement will improve the security of our country and our allies and will curb … Continue Reading