Press Releases
Chairs Thompson and Clarke Call on Republican Leadership to Wholly Reject Threats to Election Officials and Voter Intimidation
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, & Innovation released the below statement following reports of ongoing threats to election officials and voter intimidation ahead of the 2022 midterm elections. “At every metric, we have seen heightened levels of election-related threats of violence and intimidation at … Continue Reading
October 20, 2022
Chairman Thompson Releases Statement on Government Watchdog Report on FEMA Workforce Discrimination and Harassment
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released a report he requested from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) detailing employee discrimination and harassment issues within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Chairman Thompson asked GAO to review FEMA’s efforts to improve workplace culture after the RAND Corporation released a study in 2020 which revealed that an estimated 29 percent of FEMA … Continue Reading
October 12, 2022
Chairman Thompson Statement on President Biden’s New National Security Strategy
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued the below statement on the Biden Administration’s release of its new National Security Strategy:“The Biden Administration’s National Security Strategy is a clear-eyed plan to strengthen national security, improve international cooperation, and protect the American people from imminent and emerging threats. I am pleased that the Administration … Continue Reading
October 04, 2022
Thompson Statement on the Department of Homeland Security’s Counterterrorism Coordinator Appointment
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the appointment of Nicholas J. Rasmussen to serve as the Department of Homeland Security’s Counterterrorism Coordinator: “With his prior experience as the National Counterterrorism Center Director and the Executive Director of the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, Nick Rasmussen is well equipped to fill the role of the Department of … Continue Reading
October 03, 2022
Chairman Thompson Condemns Trump Comments Stoking Violence
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on former President Trump stoking violence in his attacks on Senator Mitch McConnell: “Former President Trump’s inflammatory and racist attacks directed at Senator McConnell aren’t helpful to the nation or our democracy. Worse yet, they could incite political violence, and the former President knows full well that extremists often view his … Continue Reading
September 23, 2022
Demings, Jackson Lee, Barragan, Torres to Visit Puerto Rico
(WASHINGTON) – On Sunday, September 25th, 2022, the Committee on Homeland Security will conduct an official site visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico and other areas of the island to observe conditions and the Federal response to Hurricane Fiona. Joining Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Subcommittee Chairwoman Val Demings (D-FL) are Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY). The delegation will meet with Federal … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Chairs Thompson, Clarke Applaud $1 Billion in Funding for New State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, & Innovation, released the below statement on news that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced $1 Billion in funding for the new State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. This program was originally envisioned by Chairwoman Clarke in her State and Local … Continue Reading
September 16, 2022
Chairman Thompson Commends Biden Administration Actions to Combat Extremism
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Biden Administration’s actions to combat extremism, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcing the FY2022 awards for the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program and the White House holding the United We Stand Summit. “I thank the Department for its continued efforts to combat domestic violent … Continue Reading
September 11, 2022
Chairman Thompson Releases Statement Marking 21 Years Since the September 11 Attacks
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement commemorating the twenty-first anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks: “Twenty-one years ago, our nation experienced the deadliest act of terror in our nation’s history. On this solemn day, will never forget the thousands of lives lost and we strive to preserve their legacy. We will never forget the courage of the first responders who … Continue Reading
September 01, 2022
Chairs Thompson and Demings Mark Start of National Preparedness Month
(WASHINGTON) – Today, the start of National Preparedness Month was marked by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Val Demings (D-FL), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. Both will serve as National Preparedness Month Congressional Co-Chairs this year. “Climate change continues to worsen weather patterns across the country. In Jackson, Mississippi we are currently facing a water crisis … Continue Reading
August 30, 2022
Thompson Statement on Mississippi Water Crisis
Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the current water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi: “I’ve been advised that the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency will request an emergency declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency imminently. I’ve been in contact with both FEMA and the White House about this request and strongly recommend the President approve the declaration as … Continue Reading
August 15, 2022
Chairman Thompson Condemns Threats Against Law Enforcement
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement condemning recent threats against law enforcement, including the judicial branch and government officials. Recently, it was reported that the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have issued a joint intelligence bulletin on these threats. “I strongly condemn the recent violence and continued threats and rhetoric against law enforcement, … Continue Reading
August 03, 2022
Chairs Thompson and Maloney Release 2013 DOJ OIG Memo Raising Ethics and Independence Concerns over DHS IG, Reiterate Call for DHS IG to Stand Aside
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released a memorandum with findings from an internal investigation conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General (IG) Joseph Cuffari “ran afoul” of ethics rules and other requirements during his … Continue Reading
July 20, 2022
Government Watchdog Report Released on Security Gaps that Leave the Nation Vulnerable to a Dirty Bomb Attack
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released a report he requested from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the effectiveness of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) oversight of purchases of radiological materials. In the report, entitled “Preventing a Dirty Bomb: Vulnerabilities Persist in NRC’s Controls for Purchases of High-Risk Radioactive Material,” the GAO found … Continue Reading
July 08, 2022
Chairman Thompson Statement on CBP Investigation into the Mistreatment of Migrants in Del Rio, Texas
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility releasing the findings of its investigation into the mistreatment of migrants in Del Rio, Texas, on September 19, 2021: “The disturbing findings issued by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility raise serious questions about command, control, and … Continue Reading
June 30, 2022
Chairman Thompson Statement on the Supreme Court’s Decision Allowing the Biden Administration to End Trump’s Cruel ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy
WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on today’s decision from the Supreme Court allowing the Biden Administration to end the Trump Administration’s cruel and anti-immigrant Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as ‘Remain in Mexico.’ “I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Biden Administration to finally terminate the abhorrent … Continue Reading
May 14, 2022
Chairman Thompson Statement on Domestic Terrorism Attack in Buffalo
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the mass shooting at a Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, New York: “Tonight, we all mourn for and pray for the victims and their families. Today’s tragic mass shooting and killing of innocent people while grocery shopping in a predominantly Black neighborhood was senseless and an act of domestic terrorism – plain and simple. This heinous … Continue Reading
May 06, 2022
Chairs Thompson and Maloney Issue Statements on Customs & Border Protection Disbanding Teams That May Have Obstructed Investigations
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statements after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that they are disbanding Critical Incident Teams—specialized units within CBP tasked with investigating and collecting evidence of allegations of excessive and deadly use of force by Border Patrol … Continue Reading
April 01, 2022
Chairs Thompson, Barragán Statement on the CDC Announcing the Termination of Title 42
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, & Operations, released the following statement on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announcing it is ending Title 42 on May 23: "With almost all pandemic restrictions ending or winding down, we welcome the CDC’s decision to … Continue Reading
March 31, 2022
Chairman Thompson Lauds Administration Announcing Additional H-2B Visas
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor announced that they are making an additional 35,000 temporary nonagricultural H-2B visas available for the second half of the fiscal year. Earlier this month, Chairman Thompson called on the Departments to make this move. "As our Nation’s economy continues to recover from … Continue Reading