Press Releases
TSA Must Step-Up Oversight of Airport Credentialing Procedures
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Inspector General report on the Transportation Security Administration's oversight of security badge issuance to airport employees. The report, entitled "TSA's Oversight of the Airport Badging Process Needs Improvement," raises questions about discrepancies in TSA's airport employee badging … Continue Reading
August 02, 2011
Long-awaited Ammonium Nitrate Security Regulations Announced
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding notice from the Department of Homeland Security that the Secretary will publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register for the creation of the Ammonium Nitrate Security Program: The publication of this long-awaited proposed regulation is a positive development. At a time when the EU and other countries are looking to … Continue Reading
July 29, 2011
Deepwater Program Still Problematic
(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 continuing problems with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Deepwater program, entitled "Coast Guard: Action Needed As Approved Deepwater Program Remains Unachievable" (GAO-11-743): "As delays continue and problems mount, we still do not know the true cost of the Deepwater program. I urge … Continue Reading
July 27, 2011
Ranking Member Thompson Hearing Statement
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) delivered the following prepared remarks for the full Committee hearing entitled Al Shabaab: Recruitment and Radicalization within the Muslim American Community and the Threat to the Homeland: Today, this committee will hold the third hearing in its series on terrorism and the American Muslim community. In previous hearings, we have heard testimony about young Americans of Somali descent who left … Continue Reading
July 26, 2011
Statement for the Record - Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Hearing
(WASHINGTON) - Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, Ranking Member, House Committee on Homeland Security, submitted the following statement for the record for the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight hearing on: Small Business Contracts: How Oversight Failures and Regulatory Loopholes Allow Large Businesses to Get and Keep Small Business Contracts: I would first like to thank Chair McCaskill for conducting this … Continue Reading
July 23, 2011
Statement on Attacks in Norway
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement in response to the attacks in Norway friday: I strongly condemn the deadly attacks yesterday in Norway. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Norway and those affected by the attacks. Although we are awaiting a preliminary investigation, this incident unfortunately reminds us that we must remain vigilant against the threat of homegrown … Continue Reading
July 21, 2011
Thompson Statement on DHS Progress Report on 9/11 Commission Recommendations
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the 2011 Progress Report released by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations: I commend DHS for their candor. This DHS progress report shows not only the progress, but also the challenges the agency and the nation continue to face. As we move forward, we must focus on resolving these … Continue Reading
July 19, 2011
Report Shows Coast Guard Civil Rights Directorate Not on Track
(WASHINGTON) - The Government Accountability Office released a report on the shortcomings of the Civil Rights Directorate in the United States Coast Guard (USCG), entitled "Coast Guard - Civil Rights Directorate Can Enhance Workforce Restructuring Efforts" (GAO-11-718). The report, requested by leaders of the House Transportation & Infrastructure and Homeland Security Committees, shows that despite independent studies and reports from the GAO, the USCG's Civil Rights Directorate is … Continue Reading
July 14, 2011
TSA Trusted Traveler Pilot Program Moving Forward
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding news from Transportation Security Administrator John S. Pistole announcing more details of a trusted traveler pilot program set to commence this fall: As a long-time supporter of the risk-based trusted traveler concept to make the screening experience for regular Americans better, I am pleased that TSA has announced it will start testing its … Continue Reading
July 07, 2011
Thompson Praises Reestablishment of Aviation Security Advisory Committee
(WASHINGTON) - Today, the Transportation Security Administration and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the reestablishment of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC). ASAC was originally created in response to the Lockerbie terrorist bombing in 1988, was later transferred to the Transportation Security Administration in 2001, and previously played a critical role in the development of aviation security programs. However, it has not met consistently for several … Continue Reading
June 15, 2011
Ranking Member Thompson Hearing Statement: The Threat of Muslim-American Radicalization in U.S. Prisons
(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 Threat of Muslim-American Radicalization in U.S. Prisons: The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. More than 2.3 million people are locked up in America. Approximately one-third of these prisoners claim some form of religious affiliation. Islam is the fastest growing religion among … Continue Reading
June 10, 2011
Thompson Statement on Muslim Radicalization in Prisons Hearing
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding next week's Committee hearing on The Threat of Muslim-American Radicalization in U.S. Prisons. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, June 15th. In 2007, the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee held a hearing examining the threat posed by Islam being used in prison to create a cadre of violent extremists. Focusing on … Continue Reading
June 08, 2011
FEMA Extends Recoupment Claims Process
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate notified Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, that FEMA will extend its disaster assistance recoupment appeals process deadline. FEMA agreed to take the extraordinary step of extending the recoupment appeals process deadline after receiving a letter from Thompson (link here). As a result of Thompson's advocacy, FEMA will allow additional time to file … Continue Reading
June 02, 2011
Thompson Condemns Homeland Security Bill
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement expressing grave concern following passage of H.R. 2017, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2012, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 231 to 188: This bill is simply an assault against the progress we've made protecting the homeland over the past ten years. I voted against this bill because not … Continue Reading
June 01, 2011
Thompson Statement on Homeland Security Appropriations Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, delivered the following remarks on the House floor in opposition to the rule for H.R. 2017 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2012: His prepared remarks: I rise in opposition to the Rule for H.R. 2017, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2012. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. As Americans … Continue Reading
May 19, 2011
Grant Guidance Highlights Real World Consequences of Homeland Security Budget Cuts
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency's release of its FY11 Preparedness Grant Guidance. Each grant program, except one, was cut significantly. Today's release of the FY11 grant guidance shows the devastating and severe consequences of the Republican's shortsighted cuts to homeland security spending. I understand we need to tighten our … Continue Reading
May 13, 2011
Thompson on TASC Cancellation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding news that the Department of Homeland Security has cancelled the Transformation and Systems Consolidation (TASC) program. The TASC contract was intended to provide integration services and program management support for integration of the Department's financial, acquisition and asset management processes. When DHS announced its intention to … Continue Reading
May 12, 2011
Thompson on White House Cybersecurity Proposal
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding the legislative proposal set forth by the White House on cybersecurity: I commend the President for recognizing that illegal penetrations or 'hacks' of computer networks represent not only economic threats but also homeland security threats. The President's cybersecurity proposal properly seeks to provide new authorities to DHS to protect the … Continue Reading
May 10, 2011
Thompson, Lieberman, King, Collins Stress Value of Sharing Names of Airline Passengers to Deter Terrorist Travel
(WASHINGTON) - The Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Homeland Security Committees have introduced resolutions in their respective chambers to stress the value of using information about air travelers to deprive terrorists the ability to enter the United States. The move by Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter T. King, R-N.Y., Senate Committee Ranking Member Susan … Continue Reading
May 10, 2011
Internal Security Weaknesses Prevent TWIC from Realizing its Main Objective
(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 internal control weaknesses within the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, entitled "Transportation Identification Credential: Internal Control Weaknesses Need to Be Corrected to Help Achieve Security Objectives" (GAO-11-657). "The fundamental truth that GAO laid … Continue Reading