Press Releases
Ranking Member Thompson Statement on the Shooting in Jacksonville
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the shooting in Jacksonville this Saturday: “The tragic shooting in Jacksonville on Saturday targeting Black Americans was not only an act of hate – it was an act of domestic terrorism, plain and simple. Sadly, it is just the latest example of an individual with malice toward Black Americans being emboldened to inflict violence … Continue Reading
August 21, 2023
Thompson Statement on Extreme MAGA Republicans’ Baseless Subpoena to DHS in Absurd Impeachment Quest
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green subpoenaing the Department of Homeland Security for immigration data: “It is absurd that extreme MAGA Republicans running our Committee have subpoenaed the Department while the Department has been working with them to get them what they need and has been producing and transmitting requested … Continue Reading
August 02, 2023
Thompson Releases Statement on ICE’s Stewart Detention Center After Inspector General 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 (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Report on the Office’s Inspection of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. Inspectors found that the facility did not meet standards for its special management units or custody classification as well … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Thompson, DeLauro Celebrate Largest Ever Boost in Pay for TSA’s Workforce of 60,000+
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Committee on Appropriations, released the below statements celebrating that this week, the Transportation Security Administration’s workforce of 60,000 will get their first substantial pay raise, along with expanded collective bargaining rights, since the agency was created in 2001. This boost was the result of funding … Continue Reading
July 28, 2023
Thompson Blames Senate and Congressional Republicans for Expiration of Chemical Security Counterterrorism Program
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement blaming the Senate and Congressional Republicans for the critical Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program lapsing at midnight last night, ceasing all regulatory functions of the program until at least September, possibly longer. “It is reprehensible that the Senate is leaving town without extending the authorization for our … Continue Reading
July 26, 2023
Ranking Members Thompson and Raskin Issue Statement Following Seventh Voluntary Transcribed Interview with Border Patrol Sector Chief
(WASHINGTON) – Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, issued the following statement after the Committees’ voluntary transcribed interview with U.S. Border Patrol Agent John Modlin, Chief Patrol Agent of the Tucson Sector: “Today’s interview marks the second time this year that Republicans have called Chief Patrol Agent Modlin to spend hours before Congress away from … Continue Reading
July 14, 2023
Oversight and Homeland Security Democrats Release New Information Undermining Congressional Republicans’ False Claims About the Border and Baseless Impeachment Investigation
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released a joint Committee memo debunking Congressional Republicans’ false claims about the conditions at the southwest border in support of their baseless efforts to impeach Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The Democratic memorandum provides key excerpts from transcripts of interviews with … Continue Reading
July 13, 2023
Thompson, Swalwell Release Statement on Administration’s National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Protection, issued the below statement on the Biden-Harris Administration releasing the National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan: “We commend the Administration for releasing the implementation plan that accompanies White House’s National … Continue Reading
June 29, 2023
Ranking Members Raskin and Thompson Issue Statement Following Fifth Voluntary Transcribed Interview with Border Patrol Sector Chief
(WASHINGTON) - Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, issued the following statement after the Committees’ voluntary transcribed interview with U.S. Border Patrol Agent Scott Good, Chief Patrol Agent of the El Paso Sector: “For the fifth time, Republicans have taken valuable time away from a Border Patrol Sector Chief only to have him confirm that the robust resources provided by … Continue Reading
June 14, 2023
Ranking Member Thompson Hearing Statement - Case closed: Extreme MAGA Republicans only care about impeaching Secretary Mayorkas
(WASHINGTON) - Americans have gotten used to political theater from congressional Republicans, but this hearing is a new low. You don’t have to look further than the title to know this hearing is a sham. Calling a hearing and saying “case closed” before you’ve heard any testimony is not legitimate oversight. It’s obvious this hearing isn’t really about border security. It’s not even really about Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas or the Department of … Continue Reading
June 02, 2023
Ranking Members Thompson and Raskin Issue Statement Following Fourth Voluntary Transcribed Interview with Border Patrol Sector Chief
(WASHINGTON) - Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, issued the following statement after the Committees’ voluntary transcribed interview with U.S. Border Patrol agent Joel Martinez, Chief Patrol Agent of the Laredo Sector: “With the Committees now having completed their fourth transcribed interview with Border Patrol Sector Chiefs, we have drawn the same conclusion as at every … Continue Reading
May 11, 2023
Thompson, Carter, Titus, Higgins Announce Creation of the Disaster Equity and Building Resilience Caucus
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Reps. Bennie G. Thompson, Troy A. Carter, Sr., Dina Titus, and Brian Higgins announced the creation of the Congressional Disaster Equity and Building Resilience Caucus to promote the benefits of resilience and the need for equity in the country’s disaster preparedness and response infrastructure. Research has shown that racial minorities, rural areas, low-income communities, tribes, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and children are all more likely to … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
Ranking Member Thompson Floor Statement in Opposition to H.R. 2, the Child Deportation Act
Watch video here (WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, delivered the following remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives in opposition to H.R. 2, the Child Deportation Act: This cruel, inhumane, and unworkable bill was written in an extreme MAGA Republican echo chamber. Consideration of H.R. 2 today — under a closed rule — is a cynical move on the part of Republicans to exploit the … Continue Reading
May 05, 2023
Thompson, Carter Statement on Government Report on FEMA Hiring and Staffing Shortfalls
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Ranking Member of the Emergency Management & Technology Subcommittee, released the below statement on a new U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report they requested on hiring and staffing shortfalls in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster workforce. This report comes after Committee Democrats held two … Continue Reading
April 25, 2023
Ranking Members Raskin and Thompson Issue Statement After Voluntary Transcribed Interview with Border Patrol Sector Chief
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Committee on Oversight and Accountability Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, and Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson, issued the following statement after the Committees conducted a voluntary transcribed interview with United States Border Patrol Chief Sean McGoffin, Chief Patrol Agent for the Big Bend Sector: “We want to thank the U.S. Border Patrol and Chief McGoffin for voluntarily answering six hours of questions regarding the … Continue Reading
April 21, 2023
Ranking Member Thompson Releases Statement After Committee Delegation to Southwest Border
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement after Committee Democrats’ delegation to the Southwest Border. The visit included a discussion of border security and immigration issues with local officials and tours of DHS border facilities in McAllen and Brownsville, Texas. “Today, Committee Democrats had a very productive trip to the southwest border. We got to see – firsthand … Continue Reading
April 19, 2023
No Popcorn for You: Democrats Expose Extreme MAGA Republicans for Using Homeland Security Hearing to Play Politics and Attack the Administration
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, led Committee Democrats in calling out extreme MAGA Republicans for holding another hearing rife with political games and personal attacks under the guise of homeland security. It has been clear for some time that Republicans planned to use this hearing with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to attack him, rather than focus on the budget proposal for the Department and … Continue Reading
April 14, 2023
Thompson Commends Law Enforcement, Warns Against Glorification of Suspect in Top Secret Documents Leak
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the arrest of an Air National Guardsman who is charged with leaking classified national security documents on a social media channel: “The recent leak of highly sensitive classified U.S. intelligence documents is reprehensible and I commend Federal law enforcement for apprehending this individual. Violations of the Espionage Act like the one … Continue Reading
March 09, 2023
Thompson Statement on the Administration’s Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): “We commend the Administration for prioritizing investments in the DHS workforce pay —particularly within TSA – as well as Federal cybersecurity and climate resilience in his FY 2024 Budget request. We have some questions … Continue Reading
March 07, 2023
Thompson Statement on Reports Administration Is Considering Reinstating Family Detention Policies
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement regarding news reports that the Administration is considering reinstating family detention policies: “I'm alarmed by news reports that the Administration is considering reinstating family detention policies. Not only are these policies cruel and harmful to children, but they don't prevent families from traveling to the United States. If the … Continue Reading