Press Releases
Katrina Recovery Report Shows Slow Project Completion
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a report on the closeout status of Public Assistance projects as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The report, entitled: Efforts to Expedite Disaster Recovery in Louisiana, found that as of July 2011, FEMA had obligated $10.2 billion in Public Assistance grants to support Louisiana's recovery projects - which are supposed to have 48 month deadlines. However, in the 6 years since … Continue Reading
February 15, 2012
Thompson Hearing Statement - DHS FY2013 Budget
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following prepared remarks for the full Committee hearing entitled An Examination of the President's FY 2013 Budget Request for the Department of Homeland Security: Madame Secretary, I expect that you will answer a wide range of questions today about your Fiscal Year 2013 budget request. I certainly have quite a few questions. But before we turn to the FY 2013 request, I think it is … Continue Reading
February 13, 2012
Thompson Statement on FY2013 DHS Budget Request
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on President Obama's FY2013 budget proposal released today for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The DHS budget request reflects today's fiscal realities and the need for belt-tightening. When Secretary Napolitano comes before the Committee this week, I will be asking her if this belt-tightening will be at the expense of targeted preparedness … Continue Reading
February 07, 2012
Financial Controls Lacking at DHS
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the statement below in response to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report: The Preparedness Directorate's Anti-Deficiency Act Violations for Fiscal Year 2006 Shared Service Administrative Assessments. The report concurred with an independent audit that the Preparedness Directorate (now NPPD) violated the Anti-Deficiency Act when it … Continue Reading
February 03, 2012
Report: Mismanagement Still a Problem at Federal Air Marshals
(WASHINGTON) - Today, a CNN news report details an extensive Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) report on problems at the Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS). The report was requested after CNN uncovered illegal employment discrimination and misconduct at a FAMS field office in Orlando in 2010. Throughout the IG's investigation it was clear that individual employees have experienced discrimination or retaliation. The IG reported that the perception of discrimination … Continue Reading
January 25, 2012
Thompson Statement on the State of the Union
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement following the President's State of the Union speech: The President's agenda was clearly laid out last night: as the country is recovering and getting stronger, there is still more to be done. The world is without Osama bin Laden and much of al Qaeda's leadership. We have secured the border more than ever before. But we still have homeland … Continue Reading
January 17, 2012
Congress Should Authorize Grant Program For Naturalization Assistance and Integration
January 17, 2012 (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 naturalization and citizenship process. The report, entitled Immigrant Integration: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Could Better Assess Its Grant Program (GAO-12-274), details that with 39 million foreign-born people living in the United States, the … Continue Reading
January 13, 2012
Thompson Statement on Small Business Administration
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the announcements from President Obama that he will elevate the Small Business Administration to a cabinet-level post and ask Congress for the authority to consolidate other agencies: I applaud the President for his announcement today that he is elevating the Small Business Administration to a Cabinet Level agency. This move, along with … Continue Reading
January 10, 2012
Cyber Security Guidance Available - But Must Be In Industry Planning Documents
(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 cybersecurity guidance for entities with cyber-reliant critical infrastructure, such as power utilities and communications networks. The report, entitled Critical infrastructure Protection: Cybersecurity Guidance Available, but More can be Done to Promote Its Use (GAO-12-92), … Continue Reading
December 16, 2011
Thompson Commends DHS Action Against Discrimination and Racial Profiling
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement regarding news that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has terminated Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff's Office 287(g) agreement and has restricted its access to the Secure Communities program in response to a recent Department of Justice report that found discriminatory policing practices at Maricopa County. I commend Secretary Napolitano for … Continue Reading
December 16, 2011
Thompson Calls on the Senate to Act on Privacy & Civil Liberties Oversight Board Nominees
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding news that President Obama has completed nominating members to fill the vacancies of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. The board, authorized in the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act (P.L. 110-53), advises the President and Executive Branch to ensure that privacy and civil liberties are considered with … Continue Reading
December 16, 2011
Thompson Statement Opposing Draconian Cuts to First Responders
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, delivered the following statement on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in opposition to the cuts to first responders in the Conference Report for H.R. 2055, which funds most federal government operations for the remainder of FY2012: I rise in opposition to this Rule and the underlying measure-- the Conference Report on H.R. 2055. When presented with a 1,219 page … Continue Reading
December 16, 2011
Thompson Statement on Omnibus Spending Package
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the homeland security provisions in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 (H.R. 3671): The Appropriations package that was released yesterday by House Republicans is an insult to the courageous first responders who, all around the country, have stepped up to meet the new challenges of a post-9/11 world. In the years since 9/11, DHS has … Continue Reading
December 08, 2011
Thompson Statement on CVE Strategy Implementation Plan
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement regarding the White House release of the Strategic Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States: The United States faces threats from a range of violent extremists, including those inspired by Al Qaeda, its affiliates and unaffiliated adherents. The newly-released … Continue Reading
December 07, 2011
Thompson Hearing Statement - Homegrown Terrorism: The Threat to Military Communities Inside the United States
(WASHINGTON) - Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following prepared remarks for the joint House-Senate hearing entitled Homegrown Terrorism: The Threat to Military Communities Inside the United States: I want to thank the Chairman for holding this hearing. I also want to welcome our colleagues from the Senate who have joined us today. This hearing will examine the steps the military has taken to ensure the safety of its bases, … Continue Reading
November 21, 2011
Thompson Statement on Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following news that the Co-Chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (Super Committee) announced that they did not reach a bipartisan agreement: The American people want a big, bold, and balanced plan for deficit reduction and President Obama and Democratic negotiators have, time and again, shown they are willing to go there. I am disappointed that my … Continue Reading
November 21, 2011
Transportation Security Stakeholders Need Better Quality Information from DHS
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued the statement below in response to the release of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the sharing of transportation security information. The report, directed by the 9/11 Commission Act, is an analysis of a survey of recipients and stakeholders of this information. The report, entitled "Transportation Security Information Sharing: Stakeholders Generally Satisfied … Continue Reading
November 04, 2011
Proposed Border Surveillance Plan Needs Better Planning and Cost Estimates
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued the statement below in response to the release of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report he requested on the Arizona Border Surveillance Technology Plan, successor to the failed SBInet program. The report, entitled "Arizona Border Surveillance Technology: More Information on Plans and Costs Is Needed before Proceeding," found that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) … Continue Reading
November 04, 2011
Thompson Offers Amendment to Increase Geographic Diversity at the US Coast Guard Academy
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, offered an amendment on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011 (H.R. 2838) to allow Members of Congress to nominate qualified candidates for admission to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Under current law, Members of Congress can nominate qualified high school students for acceptance to West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air … Continue Reading
November 02, 2011
Ten Months of Republican Rule – No Progress on Homeland Security
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released a fact sheet that documents the lack of legislative action by the Committee on Homeland Security so far in the 112th Congress. The fact sheet, produced by the Democratic staff of the Committee, illustrates how the Committee on Homeland Security lags behind most other authorizing committees in the U.S. House of Representatives - both in terms of the number of bills reported to … Continue Reading