Press Releases
Permanent Administrator Needed at TSA
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the need for permanent, Senate-confirmed leadership at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) following news that the Acting Administrator has been reassigned: Recent operational lapses at the Transportation Security Administration highlight the need for permanent, Senate confirmed leadership. While we value acting appointees for their … Continue Reading
June 01, 2015
Ranking Member Thompson Marks the Start of the 2015 Hurricane Season
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement marking the start of the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season: On the opening day of the Atlantic hurricane season, we should remind ourselves that each one of us has an important role to play in ensuring that our families and communities are prepared for what may come before, during, and after a potential storm. This year, forecasters are predicting a below … Continue Reading
June 01, 2015
Thompson Statement on TSA Covert Testing Reports
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement regarding media reports of aviation security concerns uncovered by covert testing by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG): In light of recent media reports regarding covert testing by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, I am extremely concerned with TSA's ability to prevent weapons from … Continue Reading
May 11, 2015
Deficient TSA Maintenance Program Could Lead to Delays & Security Gaps
(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 TSA entitled: "The Transportation Security Administration Does Not Properly Manage Its Airport Screening Equipment Maintenance Program" (OIG-15-86). In the report, the IG found that: TSA does not properly manage the maintenance of its screen equipment and not … Continue Reading
April 30, 2015
Report: Federal Building Security Still Needs Improvement
(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 he requested on the securing of federal buildings by the Federal Protective Service (FPS) and United States Marshals Service (USMS). In the report, entitled "Actions Needed to Better Manage Security Screening at Federal Buildings and Courthouses" (GAO-15-445), the GAO found that: Many … Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
Thompson Statement on TSA Administrator Nomination
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the nomination of Vice Admiral Peter V. Neffenger, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, to be Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): I want to congratulate Vice Admiral Neffenger on his nomination to become the next Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration. With his decades of public service, I am … Continue Reading
April 20, 2015
Thompson Statement on Airport Access Control Report
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) final report on airport access control released today: Today, after a comprehensive review, the Aviation Security Advisory Committee released its 90-day report on the potential weaknesses for access control security issues for our nation's airports. The ASAC, which was codified last year by legislation I … Continue Reading
April 15, 2015
Thompson Statement on the Second 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 two year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings: Two years ago our nation experienced a horrific act of terrorism when three lives were taken and over two hundred were injured in Boston. As we remember those who lost their lives, we also thank the brave first responders who put their lives at risk to keep us safe every day. While the recent … Continue Reading
April 08, 2015
Thompson Statement on Trial Verdict
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement following the news that Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has been found guilty on all counts related to the Boston Marathon Bombing: Today, Dzokhar Tsarnaev was found guilty on all counts related to the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing. The Tsarnaev trial serves as a reminder that violent extremism is a daunting challenge in the cause to keep our country safe and secure. … Continue Reading
March 24, 2015
Thompson Statement on DHS Inspector General's 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 Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) report on their investigation of employee complaints regarding management of USCIS' EB-5 Program: "In this report, the Inspector General provided no definitive determination of wrongdoing and instead found that Deputy Secretary Mayorkas' hands-on and reform-minded … Continue Reading
March 20, 2015
Thompson Statement on Secret Service Appointment
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the news that Department of Homeland Security has announced the appointment of a Deputy Director for the U.S. Secret Service: While I have high expectations for Mr. Magaw in his new role and am pleased that the critical position of Deputy Director of the Secret Service has been filled, I am concerned that the agency has failed to take the recurring … Continue Reading
March 19, 2015
Report Exposes Problems With TSA PreCheck
(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 Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck program. The report, entitled "Allegation of Granting Expedited Screening through TSA PreCheck Improperly" (OIG-15-45) investigated a whistleblower allegation that a former member of a domestic terrorist group … Continue Reading
March 12, 2015
Thompson Statement on Secret Service Incident
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on news reports of an incident at the White House on March 4th involving Secret Service agents. This incident is quite disturbing and again raises several concerns about the need for cultural change at the Secret Service. I am pleased, however, that Director Clancy gave attention to this matter and referred it to the Department of Homeland Security … Continue Reading
March 03, 2015
Finally: House Passes Clean DHS Funding Bill
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the final passage by the House of Representatives of a clean, full-year funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. All House Democrats voted for the bipartisan legislation, while most House Republicans voted against it. I am relieved that after weeks of unnecessary drama - stirred up by a radical faction of the Republican party - we have … Continue Reading
February 27, 2015
Thompson to Speaker: Pass a Clean DHS Bill Tonight
(WASHINGTON) - Upon the failure of the House Republican leadership to pass a three-week extension for funding the Department of Homeland Security by a vote of 203-224 - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to lapse tonight at midnight (6 hours). Earlier today, the Senate passed a clean, full-year funding bill. Speaker Boehner has tried - and failed at - … Continue Reading
February 27, 2015
Twelve Hours Left: Thompson Calls on House GOP to End the Games & Pass a Clean Bill
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on news that the House Republican majority is putting forth a three-week Continuing Resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security, while the Senate just passed a clean, full-year bill. Funding for DHS ends at midnight tonight - twelve hours: With twelve hours until the Department of Homeland Security shuts down, it's sad that the Republican … Continue Reading
February 25, 2015
Thompson Statement & Fact Sheet on Ongoing DHS Funding Crisis
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released a one page fact sheet detailing the effects a shutdown would have on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at this time of heightened terrorist interest in attacking the U.S. and carrying out attacks in other western nations. Congressman Thompson released the following statement on the ongoing funding crisis: While today's developments in the Senate are promising, it … Continue Reading
February 25, 2015
Homeland Security Committee Announces Task Force on Terrorist, Foreign Fighter Threat
February 25, 2015 (WASHINGTON) - Today, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the creation of a bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel in response to the threat from extremists fighting overseas and the danger they pose to the U.S. homeland. Comprised of five Republicans and three Democrats, the Task Force will … Continue Reading
February 24, 2015
Thompson: Pass a Clean DHS Bill Now
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement marking four days until funding for the Department of Homeland Security runs out unless Congress acts: It is clear that the Republican Majority's partisan homeland security funding bill cannot pass the Senate. With only four days until funding for the Department of Homeland Security runs out, it's time Republicans come to their senses, realize their … Continue Reading
February 18, 2015
Thompson on Secret Service Director Appointment
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement following the announcement from Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson that Joseph Clancy has been appointed as Director of the United States Secret Service: With today's announcement, I am cautiously optimistic that that Mr. Clancy can be the change agent that the Secret Service needs to address its woes. I believe - and am hopeful that the … Continue Reading