Press Releases
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
October 28, 2011
DHS and DOJ Must Work Together to Improve Courthouse Security
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the statement below in response to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on federal courthouse security. The report, entitled Federal Courthouses: Improved Collaboration Needed to Meet Demands of a Complex Security Environment (GAO-11-857), was undertaken in response to the Congressman's request. It found that additional steps should be taken to improve courthouse … Continue Reading
October 21, 2011
Thompson Statement on the Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding news from President Obama that all American troops will be out of Iraq by the end of the year: President Obama has fulfilled his promise to bring all American troops out of Iraq by the end of the year. This is the final step of a responsible, structured timeline that began in early 2009. After nine long years, the American people can … Continue Reading
October 20, 2011
Thompson Statement on the Death of Moammar Gadhafi
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news of the death of Moammar Gadhafi: Today's news marks the final closing to a brutal and tyrannical regime. I hope the Libyan people use this moment as an opportunity to begin rebuilding their country and government. Along with help from the international community, Libya can now move forward to restore its institutions and find a path to … Continue Reading
October 12, 2011
Thompson Statement on the DHS Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following prepared remarks for the full Committee markup of the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (H.R. 3116): Turning to the legislation before us today, I am troubled that a bill called the Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 does not actually authorize funding for the Department to undertake all its missions. … Continue Reading
October 04, 2011
Thompson Statement on TSA PreCheck Pilot Program
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the announcement from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole that the agency will be implementing a pilot program for a risk-based pre-screening security initiative called PreCheck: "As someone who has championed secure and commonsense enhancements to checkpoint screening, I am pleased that … Continue Reading
September 30, 2011
Thompson Statement on the Killing of al Qaeda Leader Anwar al-Awlaki
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement in response to news that al Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki was killed in Yemen: Less than six months after the killing of Osama bin Laden, we have scored another strategic counterterrorism victory with the death of Anwar al-Awlaki. As an American born al Qaeda leader, al-Awlaki was one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world. He was linked to … Continue Reading
September 22, 2011
FEMA Contracting Practices Still Need Work
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement in response to a Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's contracting processes. The report, entitled "FEMA's Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) Program" (OIG-11-106), found that endemic and longstanding problems exist in the COTR program. The COTR program … Continue Reading
September 11, 2011
Thompson Statement on the 10th 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 tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks: Ten years ago, this nation arose to news of unthinkable tragedy and unimaginable pain. Today, we are again reminded of that tragic day and how it forever changed this great nation. We will never forget those we lost that Tuesday morning, nor will we forget the heroism of the … Continue Reading
September 08, 2011
Richmond, Thompson Applaud Former GOP Homeland Security Secretary's Support of Disaster Relief Without Offsets
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Tom J. Ridge, the first Secretary of Homeland Security and former Republican Governor of Pennsylvania testified at a hearing on Capitol Hill that he supports a clean boost to disaster relief funds without offsets or budget cuts elsewhere. While testifying before the full House Committee on Homeland Security hearing on The Attacks of September 11th: Where are We Today Mr. Ridge stated, in response to a question posed by Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) on budget offsets … Continue Reading
September 07, 2011
Hearing Statement - "The Attacks of September 11th: Where are We Today"
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following prepared remarks for the full Committee hearing entitled The Attacks of September 11th: Where are We Today: Today, we meet to discuss this nation's progress in bringing about safety, security and resiliency against terrorism since the attacks of 9/11. But before we look back, I want to acknowledge and remember all the firefighters, police officers, and ordinary people who lost … Continue Reading
September 07, 2011
GAO: DHS Has Yet to Reach Full Potential
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the state of Homeland Security. The report, entitled "Department of Homeland Security: Progress Made and Work Remaining in Implementing Homeland Security Missions 10 Years after 9/11", illustrates that while DHS deserves commendation for implementing crucial and strategic programs it still has … Continue Reading
September 01, 2011
Irene Preparation Commendable; FEMA Crucial to Disaster Response (Updated)
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding Hurricane Irene and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's preparation and response: Although the cleanup for Hurricane Irene has just begun, it is evident that FEMA and the Administration prepared and responded admirably to this widespread disaster affecting tens of millions of Americans across the Eastern Seaboard. FEMA was able to … Continue Reading