Press Releases
Chairman Thompson Marks 20th Anniversary of the Creation of TSA
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, marked the twenty-year anniversary of the creation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), after Congress established it in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. “Following the devastating attacks of September 11th, 2001, Federal authorities undertook the massive effort to safeguard and defend our national transportation system,” said Chairman Thompson. … Continue Reading
November 19, 2021
Chairman Thompson Lauds Homeland Security Provisions in Build Back Better Act
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding House passage of H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, which includes $1.5 billion in investments at the Department of Homeland Security that address three pressing national security challenges: improving our national cybersecurity posture. helping to secure places of worship against domestic terrorist and other threats. intensifying … Continue Reading
November 09, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on OSC Report Finding that Former DHS Official Chad Wolf Violated the Hatch Act
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) report out today, which found that former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official Chad Wolf violated the Hatch Act by presiding over a naturalization ceremony that was shown during the 2020 Republican National Convention. Chairman Thompson sent a letter to OSC on August 26, 2020, calling for this … Continue Reading
October 28, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on Homeland Security Provisions in the Build Back Better Act
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement regarding H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act which includes $1.5 billion in investments at the Department of Homeland Security that address three pressing national security challenges: improving our national cybersecurity posture. helping to secure places of worship against domestic terrorist and other threats. intensifying … Continue Reading
October 12, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on DHS Announcement to Protect Workers
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Secretary of Homeland Security announcing its worksite enforcement strategy: "I applaud the Secretary's announcement that the Administration is prioritizing immigration enforcement actions that protect workers by facilitating effective enforcement of wage protections, workplace safety, and labor rights. The previous Administration too often carried out … Continue Reading
September 29, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on DHS Creating New Law Enforcement Oversight Body
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcing the formation of a Department-wide law enforcement coordination body, the Law Enforcement Coordination Council (LECC), in the wake of calls by the Chairman and others for reforms to ensure that law enforcement activities are more fair, equitable, and accountable. In July, Chairman Thompson and Committee … Continue Reading
September 27, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on TSA Announcing Merit Systems Protection Board Rights for its Frontline Workforce
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announcing it has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) in which the MSPB has agreed to review adverse action appeals from screening workforce employees. This follows Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas' announcement in June which highlighted steps the … Continue Reading
September 20, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on Border Patrol’s Mistreatment of Migrants at the Border
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on reports of U.S. Border Patrol's treatment of migrants along the border. "Video and photos coming out of Del Rio showing U.S. Border Patrol's mistreatment of Haitian migrants along the border are horrific and disturbing. This mistreatment runs counter to our American values and cannot be tolerated. I call on Secretary Mayorkas to take immediate action to … Continue Reading
September 17, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on DHS Watchdog Report Showing Border Patrol Failures in 2019 Death of Child in Custody
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issuing a press release indicating it had completed its investigation into the death of Carlos Hernandez Vasquez, Guatemalan boy who died in U.S. Border Patrol care in Texas in 2019. Chairman Thompson also sent a letter to the OIG requesting the final report. "The Office of … Continue Reading
September 11, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement Marking 20 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 twentieth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks: "On this day twenty years ago, our country suffered the deadliest act of terror in our nation's history. On this solemn day, we mourn the thousands of American lives lost. We honor the brave first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their fellow citizens. We take … Continue Reading
August 13, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on Updated DHS Public Bulletin on the Terrorism Threat
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Majorkas issuing a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) bulletin on the current terrorism threat: "While I am glad to see Secretary Mayorkas and DHS leadership taking important steps to inform the public about threats to our homeland both from here and abroad, it continues to be troubling that the terrorism … Continue Reading
July 28, 2021
Chairs Thompson, Clarke Statement on President Biden’s Action to Secure Critical Infrastructure Control Systems
(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 President Biden releasing the National Security Memorandum on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Control Systems: "The American people have waited four long years for strong, consistent White House leadership to defend … Continue Reading
July 21, 2021
Thompson Statement on Membership of the Select Committee on the January 6th Attack on the Capitol
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, released the following statement after Speaker Pelosi rejected Republican recommendations to serve on the Select Committee: "At every point after the domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol, Speaker Pelosi has met Republican Leadership more than halfway to investigate the facts and circumstances of January 6th. … Continue Reading
July 12, 2021
Chairs Thompson and Clarke Statement on Confirmation of Jen Easterly as CISA Director
(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 following statement after Jen Easterly was confirmed by the Senate to be Director of the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency. "It is unfortunate that political games delayed her confirmation, but we are pleased the Senate has finally acted … Continue Reading
July 01, 2021
Thompson Statement on Being Named Chair of Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement after Speaker Pelosi named him as Chair of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol: "I deeply appreciate the responsibility the Speaker has placed in my hands to ensure the January 6th domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol is thoroughly and properly investigated. The Select Committee named today is uniquely … Continue Reading
June 30, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on the House Creating a Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the Capitol
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to create a Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol (H.Res. 503): "Today, House Democrats followed through on our promise to stand up for the integrity of our democracy and ensure that the facts and circumstances of the January 6 attack on the Capitol are … Continue Reading
June 29, 2021
Chairs Thompson and Barragán Seek Answers from CBP on Deployment of Helicopter at Peaceful Minnesota Protest
(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, sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seeking answers and a briefing regarding an incident in Park Rapids, Minnesota on June 7, where a CBP helicopter apparently flew dangerously low over nonviolent protestors opposing the Line 3 crude oil … Continue Reading
June 28, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on Introduction of a Resolution Creating a Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the Capitol
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Speaker Pelosi introducing a resolution to create a Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol (H.Res. 503): "Today, Speaker Pelosi followed up on her promise to the American people to stand up for our democracy and ensure that the facts and circumstances of the January 6 attack on the Capitol are fully investigated. … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on GAO Legal Decision on President Biden Pausing Border Wall Construction
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the U.S. Government Accountability Office releasing a decision determining that President Biden's order to pause border wall construction was legal: "I am glad that GAO was able to quickly release its determination that President Biden's day one action to pause border wall construction was clearly legal. The previous Administration's careless rush to push … Continue Reading
June 15, 2021
Thompson, Slotkin Statement on Biden Administration’s Release of First-Ever Domestic Terrorism Strategy
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, released the following statement on the Biden Administration's release of the nation's first National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism: "We are encouraged by the Biden-Harris Administration's release of the first-ever National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism - a promise … Continue Reading