Press Releases
Thompson Statement on Immigration Action
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the President's address to the nation detailing action he will take to fix the country's immigration system: I commend the President for taking this bold step to begin to bring change to our broken immigration system. This action, similar to those taken by previous presidents, is simply the right thing to do in the wake of inaction by Congress. It will … Continue Reading
November 13, 2014
Report on White House Fence Jumper Reveals Problems with Secret Service Culture, Lack of Resources
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Executive Summary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Report on the White House Incursion Incident of September 19, 2014. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson tasked Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to investigate the incident at all levels. This report indicates that the Secret Service's response at the White House … Continue Reading
October 22, 2014
New Memo Shows No Justification for Secret Service Diversion of Agents
(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) memorandum to the Secretary on the United States Secret Service (USSS). The memorandum details an investigation into allegations of misuse of USSS resources in July 2011 when Secret Service agents were tasked away from their posts at the White House complex: The … Continue Reading
October 17, 2014
Thompson Statement on Ebola Czar Appointment
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on news that President Obama has appointed Ron Klain as his Ebola response coordinator: I applaud the President's appointment of Ron Klain to coordinate Federal response efforts to contain the Ebola virus in the United States and West Africa. I do not question Mr. Klain's competency and will do all I can to assist him in his efforts; however, I must … Continue Reading
October 16, 2014
Thompson, Richmond Thank Pistole for His Years of Public Service
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA), Ranking Member of the Committee's Transportation Security Subcommittee, released the below statements on the retirement on John S. Pistole as the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Congressman Thompson stated: I would like to thank John S. Pistole for his 31 years of public service. During his more than four years as … Continue Reading
October 12, 2014
Thompson Statement on Second Ebola Diagnosis in the US
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on news of the second Ebola patient being diagnosed in the United States: My thoughts and prayers are with the Texas nurse who compassionately and courageously cared for the first U.S. Ebola patient and was diagnosed with the devastating disease this weekend. The CDC attributes the new infection to a breach in protocol, which raises the question whether … Continue Reading
October 10, 2014
Ranking Member Thompson Field Hearing Statement Ebola in the Homeland: The Importance of International, Federal, State, and Local Coordination
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following opening statement for the full Committee field hearing on Ebola in the Homeland: The Importance of International, Federal, State, and Local Coordination: I want to thank the Chairman for holding this timely hearing on our efforts-both domestic and international-to contain and prevent the spread of the Ebola virus. I also thank the witnesses for appearing today, and I look … Continue Reading
September 26, 2014
Thompson, Payne to Hold National Preparedness Month Tweetathon
(WASHINGTON) - On Tuesday, September 30th, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, will hold a National PrepareAthon! Day Tweetathon to celebrate and promote National Preparedness Month. Reps. Thompson and Payne are both serving as Congressional Co-Chairs of the 13th Annual National Preparedness Month. @HomelandDems and … Continue Reading
September 19, 2014
TSA's Removal of Rapiscan Body Scanners Not Without Hiccups
(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 (TSA) management of the removal of Rapiscan advanced imaging technology (AIT) machines from TSA ownership. The report, entitled "TSA's Management of Secure 1000SP Advanced Imaging Technology Units" (OIG-14-138) found … Continue Reading
September 18, 2014
Secure Flight Needs Improved Privacy Protections and Operational Standards
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released two reports on the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Secure Flight program, which assigns a risk category to passengers which determines if individuals should be prevented from flying or if they require additional screening. The first report, "Secure Flight: TSA Should Take Additional Steps to Determine Program Effectiveness" (GAO-14-531) found that TSA checkpoint personnel have made errors in implementing … Continue Reading
September 17, 2014
Thompson Hearing Statement - Worldwide Threats to the Homeland
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following opening statement for the full Committee hearing entitled Worldwide Threats to the Homeland: We are fortunate to have an exceptionally accomplished and knowledgeable panel of witnesses to discuss the current threat picture. Secretary Johnson, welcome back. You have offered informative and useful testimony before, and I expect today to be no different. Director … Continue Reading
September 11, 2014
Thompson Statement the 13th Anniversary of September 11
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement commemorating the thirteenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks: Thirteen years ago, our Nation came together as one after facing a horrific terrorist attack. The Anniversary of 9/11 is a time to remember and honor those we lost that day. While we have made great strides since that day, we recognize there are still threats to the homeland and we … Continue Reading
September 10, 2014
Thompson Statement on President's Primetime Address
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement in reaction to President Obama's primetime address to the nation on the United States' strategy to degrade and destroy ISIL: The threat from ISIL is legitimate and serious - and it is evident that protecting the United States and its interests from this dangerous organization should not be a partisan issue. While I appreciate the President for outlining a … Continue Reading
September 09, 2014
DHS Pandemic Preparedness Lacking
(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 "DHS Has Not Effectively Managed Pandemic Personal Protective Equipment and Antiviral Medical Countermeasures" (OIG-14-129): "I am deeply troubled with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General's report finding that the Department had … Continue Reading
September 08, 2014
Security Clearance Revocation Process 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 on the security clearance revocation process within the Federal government. In the report, entitled "Personnel Security Clearances - Additional Guidance and Oversight Needed at DHS and DOD to Ensure Consistent Application of Revocation Process" (GAO-14-640), the GAO identifies areas of concern … Continue Reading
August 07, 2014
USIS Breach Shows Both Government & Contractors Need to Improve Cyber Posture
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on news that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contractor USIS (U.S. Investigations Services Inc.) suffered a computer breach recently: Unfortunately, the federal workforce has again fallen victim to cyber criminals. Given the known potential and the severity of the cyber threat from state sponsors, both the government and its contractors should … Continue Reading
August 06, 2014
Thompson Statement on 3rd Annual National Preparedness Report
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security released the below statement on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's release of its third annual National Preparedness Report, which provides a nation-wide assessment of 31 core preparedness and response capabilities: Although I am troubled that cybersecurity, infrastructure systems, and disaster housing remain areas for national improvement, I am pleased that operational … Continue Reading
July 23, 2014
Thompson Hearing Statement: 'The Rising Terrorist Threat and the Unfulfilled 9/11 Recommendation'
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following statement for the full Committee hearing on The Rising Terrorist Threat and the Unfulfilled 9/11 Recommendation: Ten years ago, the 'National Commission on Terrorist Attacks in the United States' issued the official account of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. In that report, the 9/11 Commission made a series of recommendations to strengthen … Continue Reading
June 25, 2014
Congressmen Thompson, Hinojosa, and Vela to tour McAllen Border Patrol Detention Facility & Sacred Heart Church Refuge Center
June 25, 2014 (WASHINGTON) - Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, will join Congressman RubĂ©n Hinojosa (D-TX) and Congressman Filemon Vela (D-TX), a member of House Homeland Security Committee, for a tour of McAllen Border Patrol detention facilities and briefing from Border Patrol agents regarding unaccompanied children at 9 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2014, at 3000 W. Military Highway McAllen, Texas 78503. ***PRESS CONFERENCE & … Continue Reading
June 24, 2014
Ranking Member Thompson Hearing Statement on Unaccompanied Children
June 24, 2014 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following opening statement for the full Committee hearing on Dangerous Passage: The Growing Problem of Unaccompanied Children Crossing the Border: On a daily basis, waves of children ranging from toddlers to teenagers are fleeing violence, oppression, and economic desperation from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador - many of them sent by their families. They … Continue Reading