Press Releases
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
February 11, 2015
Thompson Hearing Statement – Countering Violent Islamist Extremism: The Urgent Threat of Foreign Fighters and Homegrown Terror
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following remarks for the full Committee hearing on Countering Violent Islamist Extremism: The Urgent Threat of Foreign Fighters and Homegrown Terror: I would like to express my condolences to the family of 26 year old Kayla Mueller, an American aid worker who was taken hostage by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. U.S. officials have confirmed she was killed by the terrorist … Continue Reading
February 11, 2015
DHS Needs Full-Year Funding to Address High-Risk Programs
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) high-risk list (GAO-15-290). GAO, every two years, releases a report to call attention to government agencies and program areas that are high-risk due to their vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, or are most in need of transformation. This year, three areas relating to homeland security … Continue Reading
February 04, 2015
Thompson Statement on Anthem Breach
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement following news that Anthem, a major provider of health insurance, was hacked resulting in a data breach of personal information of its customers. The Anthem insurance company breach is another in a long line of breaches that continue to have a deep and disheartening effect on consumer behavior and the smooth flow of commerce both here at home and … Continue Reading
February 03, 2015
DHS Funding Games Impact Local First Responder Grants
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the current state of funding for the Department of Homeland Security and the impact on grant funding. Earlier today, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson released a statement on the matter. As Secretary Johnson underscored today, the appropriations crisis that the Department of Homeland Security is enduring has wide-scale impacts well beyond … Continue Reading
February 02, 2015
Thompson Statement on FY 2016 Budget Request for DHS
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the President's FY 2016 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security: I commend the President for his efforts to return the budget and appropriations process to regular order, and to force Congress to deal with the disastrous and arbitrary sequestration cuts that threaten our national security and domestic priorities. Overshadowing … Continue Reading
January 27, 2015
CBP Must Improve Supply Chain Security Policies
(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 on the Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) role in supply chain security. Since August 2007, CBP has been required to ensure that all U.S.-bound maritime cargo containers be scanned at foreign ports before being placed on vessels headed to the U.S. In the report, entitled "Supply Chain Security … Continue Reading
January 23, 2015
TSA Should Reverse Decision to Redact 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 redacted Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG) report released today on the "Audit of Security Controls for DHS Information Systems at John F. Kennedy International Airport" (OIG-15-18). This report contains findings and recommendations for improving security controls for the Department of Homeland Security's … Continue Reading
January 21, 2015
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Air Marshal
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on news that the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled in favor of a former air marshal whistleblower: I'm pleased that the Supreme Court maintained the whistleblower protection Congress intended under the Homeland Security Act. The 240,000 employees of the Department of Homeland Security need to know that their employee rights are protected if they come forward … Continue Reading
January 14, 2015
Thompson Welcomes New Democratic Members and Subcommittee Ranking Members
January 14, 2015 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, announced the subcommittee Ranking Members and the new Democratic membership of the Committee for the 114th Congress. Subcommittee Ranking Members: Border and Maritime Security - Rep. Filemon Vela (D-TX) Counterterrorism and Intelligence - Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection & Security Technologies - Rep. Cedric L. … Continue Reading
January 13, 2015
Chairmen, Ranking Members Release Statements on President's Cybersecurity Information Sharing Proposal
(WASHINGTON) - The Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security on Tuesday issued these statements responding to the president's proposed cybersecurity information sharing bill: Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security said: The cyber threat is ever-evolving. The Obama Administration is to be commended for working to keep pace and tackling some of … Continue Reading
January 13, 2015
Thompson Floor Statement Opposing the Consideration of the GOP's DHS Spending Bill
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, delivered the following remarks on the House floor against H.Res. 27 - Providing Consideration for H.R. 240, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act: Just over one month ago, I stood on this floor urging the Majority to allow Members of this chamber to fund the Department of Homeland Security in the Omnibus. The Majority did not listen. In the past month, even as the … Continue Reading
January 12, 2015
Thompson Statement on Republican Homeland Security Funding Bill
WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the House Republicans' Homeland Security funding bill for FY2015: The Republican's Homeland Security spending bill released Friday is yet another example of the Republicans playing politics with homeland security. The House Majority has escalated their political gamesmanship by including poison pill amendments to stop immigration reform that will not be … Continue Reading