Press Releases
FEMA National Level Exercises Lessons Not Realized
(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 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preparation exercises. The report, entitled "FEMA's Management of Corrective Actions and Lessons Learned From National Level Exercises" (OIG-12-118) found that fewer than 40 percent of corrective actions identified … Continue Reading
September 18, 2012
GAO: DHS Info Sharing Showing Progress
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the release of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report he requested on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its information sharing efforts. The report, entitled "Information Sharing: DHS Has Demonstrated Leadership and Progress, but Additional Actions Could Help Sustain and Strengthen Efforts" (GAO-12-809) found that DHS has made significant progress but can … Continue Reading
September 13, 2012
GAO: FPS Lagging Behind In Progress of Securing Gov Facilities
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the release of two Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports he requested on the Federal Protective Service (FPS). The first report, entitled "Federal Real Property Security: Interagency Security Committee Should Implement a Lessons-Learned Process" (GAO-12-901), found that the Interagency Security Committee (ISC), which sets the standards for protecting all federal … Continue Reading
September 11, 2012
Thompson Statement on the Eleventh Anniversary of September 11
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement commemorating the eleventh anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks: On this day, eleven years ago, our country was attacked and came together like never before to face the immense challenge of rebuilding and securing our nation. The anniversary of 9/11 is a time to honor and commemorate the first responders, victims of the attacks, and … Continue Reading
August 28, 2012
Thompson Statement on Hurricane Isaac
August 28, 2012 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement regarding preparations underway for Hurricane Isaac: As President Obama declares a state of emergency for Louisiana and Mississippi, I am pleased that FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, and its partners have preparations well underway to respond to Hurricane Isaac. FEMA has gone under significant change since Hurricane Katrina hit … Continue Reading
August 02, 2012
Thompson Statement on Agreement for TSA Worker Protections
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement following news that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) came to an agreement on a collective bargaining agreement. I am very pleased that TSA and AFGE came to an agreement on a collective bargaining agreement early this morning. Finally, after a ten-year struggle, Transportation … Continue Reading
August 02, 2012
Secure Communities Program Needs Focused Implementation
(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 Secure Communities program and its operations. The report, entitled "Secure Communities: Criminal Alien Removals Increased, but Technology Planning Improvements Needed" (GAO-12-708) found that a growing proportion of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) alien removals … Continue Reading
July 25, 2012
Thompson Statement - Hearing with Secretary Napolitano and Director Olsen
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following prepared remarks for the full Committee hearing entitled Understanding the Homeland Threat Landscape: As we meet today to consider the homeland threat landscape, we must be mindful that yesterday, the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq issued a videotaped message indicating his intention to carry out attacks within the United States. These new threats require an assessment … Continue Reading
July 24, 2012
Known Crewmember Program to Include Flight Attendants
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement in response to the announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that flight attendants will be receive expedited security screening, as a part of the second phase of the Known Crewmember (KCM) program. Under the Known Crewmember program, which was started in 2011, pilots employed by … Continue Reading
July 12, 2012
GAO: Federal Hiring Security Clearance Guidelines Need Revamp
(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 security clearance requirements for federal civilian positions, entitled "Security Clearances: Agencies Need Clearly Defined Policy for Determining Civilian Position Requirements" (GAO-12-800). In the report, GAO found that there are essentially no agreed upon standards for … Continue Reading
June 29, 2012
GAO: DHS Can Improve on Critical Infrastructure Protection Efforts
(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 critical infrastructure protection, entitled "Critical Infrastructure Protection: DHS Could Better Manage Security Surveys and Vulnerability Assessments" (GAO-12-378). The report assesses the extent to which the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) National Protection and … Continue Reading
June 27, 2012
FEMA Must Implement Delayed Personnel Management Systems
(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 Federal Emergency Management Administration's (FEMA) credentialing system for the qualification and certification of its workforce through experience, training, and demonstrated performance. The report, entitled "FEMA's Progress in Implementing Employee … Continue Reading
June 20, 2012
Thompson Hearing Statement on Hearings on Radicalization in the Muslim Community
(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 American Muslim Response to Hearings on Radicalization within their Community: Today's hearing is the fifth hearing in this Committee's series on radicalization in the American Muslim community. Since this Committee's first hearing on radicalization, the Obama Administration has taken several steps in dismantling al … Continue Reading
June 15, 2012
New TWIC Policy Means A Less-Costly and Burdensome Option for Nation's Port and Transportation Security Workers
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security released the following statement in response to the announcement today, by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) renewal policy will be revised - starting in August - to provide a new less-costly and burdensome option for the Nation's transportation and port security workers: I … Continue Reading
June 11, 2012
CBP Border Drone Program Suffers from Budget and Planning Shortfalls
(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 U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) - drones - which are intended to provide reconnaissance, surveillance, targeting, and acquisition capabilities across all CBP areas of responsibility. CBP began using UAS … Continue Reading
June 08, 2012
Thompson Statement Opposing FY2013 DHS Appropriations Act
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on passage of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (H.R. 5855): The DHS Appropriations Bill for FY2013 does not fully meet nor adequately fund our nation's homeland security needs. This is why I opposed and voted against this partisan piece of legislation. Homeland Security grant programs, while increased over … Continue Reading
May 31, 2012
Thompson Marks Start of Hurricane Season
(WASHINGTON) - Today marks the beginning of the annual Atlantic Hurricane Season. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, noted the occasion as he released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report he requested on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Employee (DAE) program. The report, entitled Disaster Assistance Workforce: FEMA Could Enhance Human Capital Management and Training (GAO-12-538) found significant … Continue Reading
April 26, 2012
Thompson Floor Statement Opposing CISPA Rule
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, delivered the following statement (with video) on the House Floor for consideration of H. Res. 631, the Rule providing consideration for H.R. 3523, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA): I rise in opposition to this Rule and the underlying bill. At the beginning of this Congress, expectations were high for meaningful progress on cybersecurity. Speaker … Continue Reading
April 26, 2012
Second Thompson Floor Statement Opposing CISPA
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, delivered the following statement (with video) on the House Floor for consideration of H.R. 3523, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA): Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3523. I appreciate the efforts of my colleagues on the Intelligence Committee to foster greater sharing of cyber threat information. Having been involved in homeland security issues … Continue Reading
April 26, 2012
FPS Needs Better Coordination with Federal Partners
(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 quality of coordination between Federal Protective Service (FPS) personnel and state and local law enforcement agencies. The report, entitled "Federal Protective Service: Better Data on Facility Jurisdictions Needed to Enhance Collaboration with State and Local Law Enforcement" … Continue Reading