Press Releases
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 Rubén 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
June 09, 2014
Thompson Statement on the Chemical Facility Safety and Security Working Group Report
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the report released by the President's Chemical Facility Safety and Security Working Group: The West Fertilizer chemical explosions last April sent shockwaves through all levels of government about the risks posed by facilities in our communities. We now know that when it comes to the chemical sector, there are some potentially-deadly regulatory gaps … Continue Reading
June 04, 2014
Ranking Member Thompson Marks Start of 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 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, which lasts until the end of November. He also released an emergency preparedness newsletter which will assist in preparing for the hurricane season. The start of the 2014 Hurricane Season is the perfect time to focus on our level of preparedness at all levels of government and especially within our … Continue Reading
May 30, 2014
Floor Statement - Rule for Intelligence Authorization Act
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, delivered the below statement on the floor of the House on the rule for H.R. 4681, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015: I rise in opposition of this rule to allow for consideration of H.R. 4681, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015. I am troubled that just 11 amendments were allowed under the rule and many solid … Continue Reading
May 22, 2014
Thompson Statement on USA FREEDOM Act
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on H.R. 3361, the USA FREEDOM Act, which passed the House today: Today, I reluctantly voted against H.R. 3361, the USA FREEDOM Act, which I cosponsored at introduction. I am troubled by the changes that were made to the bill behind closed doors that stripped key protections and open the door to bulk collection. The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight … Continue Reading
April 30, 2014
TSA Body Scanners Must be Utilized Effectively
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines with Automated Target Recognition (ATR) software. As of March 2014, TSA has deployed approximately 740 machines at 160 airports across the nation. GAO estimates that over $3.5 billion will be spent in life cycle costs on current units and additional units TSA intends to procure in the future. The report, entitled … Continue Reading
April 24, 2014
Thompson Statement on Chemical Safety Board Preliminary Findings
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Chemical Safety Board's Preliminary Findings from its investigation of the West Fertilizer explosion and fire in April 2013: I commend the Chemical Safety Board for asking tough questions about the deadly West Fertilizer explosion in West Texas last year. Its Preliminary Findings report outlines that much more needs to be done to secure chemical … Continue Reading
April 15, 2014
One Year On – Boston Strong
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings: Today, one year after the horrific bombings in Boston, let us honor those who lost their lives - our thoughts and prayers are with their families. We are thankful for the heroic first responders who risked their lives to help those in need at the marathon and around Boston that day. Today is not … Continue Reading
March 26, 2014
Training, Communications Must Improve After LAX Shooting
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement in response to a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) after-action report on the shooting at Los Angeles International Airport on November 1, 2013 entitled Enhancing TSA Officer Safety and Security: Agency Actions and Path Forward: I applaud Administrator Pistole for his extensive outreach to both public and private sector stakeholders following the … Continue Reading
March 19, 2014
Congresswoman Jackson Lee & Chairman McCaul to Hold Houston Field Hearing on Human Trafficking in the U.S.
(WASHINGTON) - Tomorrow, Thursday, March 20, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee's Border & Maritime Security Subcommittee, and Rep. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, will convene an important Congressional field hearing entitled Combating Human Trafficking in Our Major Cities. Human trafficking is the trade in humans, most commonly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation for … Continue Reading
March 13, 2014
Thompson Hearing Statement: The President's FY2015 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following prepared remarks for the full Committee hearing on the President's FY2015 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson: ) When we last met, you testified to your vision and priorities as the new Secretary of Homeland Security. The budget request under discussion today should provide greater clarity about … Continue Reading
March 11, 2014
Thompson Announces Committee Staff Changes
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the following staff changes for the Committee's Democratic staff: Hope Goins as Chief Counsel for Oversight Moira Bergin as Emergency Preparedness, Response & Communications Subcommittee Director and Counsel Christopher Schepis as Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection & Security Technologies Subcommittee Director Nicole Tisdale as Counterterrorism … Continue Reading
March 06, 2014
Deepwater Horizon Report: 90% of Recommendations Not Complete
(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 U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) oversight and implementation of recommended changes after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The report, entitled "The USCG's Oversight of Recommendations from Deepwater Horizon After Action Reports" (OIG-14-42), found that it was … Continue Reading