Press Releases
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
March 31, 2022
Reps. Watson Coleman, Rice Applaud TSA Announcing Gender-Neutral Checkpoint Screening
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Chairwoman of the Committee on Homeland Security’s Transportation & Maritime Security Subcommittee, and Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY), sponsor of H.R. 4249, the Screening With Dignity Act, applauded an announcement from the Department Homeland Security (DHS) - on International Transgender Day of Visibility - that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be implementing a number of screening measures that are … Continue Reading
March 28, 2022
Chairs Thompson, DeFazio Applaud President Biden’s Budget to Increase Pay and Collective Bargaining for TSA’s Frontline Workforce
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, applauded President Biden’s FY2023 Budget Request including funding for long overdue pay increases and expanded collective bargaining for TSA’s predominantly frontline workforce. The increase in funding would come from TSA’s collection of security fees – which … Continue Reading
March 24, 2022
Thompson, Katko Mourn the Death of Former TSA Administrator Kip Hawley
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement on the recent passing of former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator Edmund “Kip” Hawley: “Kip Hawley played an integral role in the stand-up of TSA in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Our homeland … Continue Reading
March 10, 2022
Thompson, Katko, Clarke, Garbarino Laud Cyber Incident Reporting Passage
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. John Katko (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, & Innovation Subcommittee, and Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, & Innovation Subcommittee, released the below joint statement on cyber incident reporting … Continue Reading
March 09, 2022
Chairman Thompson Applauds Increase in Counterterrorism Grant Funding to Protect Houses of Worship and Nonprofits in Omnibus
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the bipartisan Omnibus Appropriations Agreement for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 including a dramatic increase in funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps secure nonprofits and houses of worship against terrorism. In recent years, there has been a surge in threats against nonprofits, most recently including the January 15 … Continue Reading
February 24, 2022
Thompson, Torres, Clarke Release Statement on Russian Invasion of Ukraine
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Vice Chairman Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, & Innovation, released the following statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a brazen assault on democracy, not just in Ukraine, but democracies around the globe. This unprovoked … Continue Reading