Press Releases
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
June 08, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on January 6 Report, Need for Full Investigation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the release on a bipartisan report from the Senate Committees on Homeland Security & Government Affairs and Rules and Administration on the January 6 domestic terrorism attack on the Capitol. "Although this report provides new insight into the many intelligence failures, miscommunications, and security lapses on January 6, it is clear a full and … Continue Reading
June 03, 2021
Chairman Thompson Releases Statement on New DHS Administrative Actions to Improve Protections and Pay for the TSA Workforce
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas issuing new administrative actions to improve conditions for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workforce: "I commend the Biden Administration for taking decisive action to improve conditions for the TSA workforce. TSA frontline officers have been grossly underpaid and denied basic workplace rights for … Continue Reading
June 03, 2021
Thompson, Maloney, Katko, Comer Release GAO Report on Management Problems at DHS Office of Inspector General
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson, Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member John Katko, and Oversight and Reform Committee Ranking Member James Comer announced the release of a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report they requested on systemic management problems at the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (DHS OIG). "It is critical that DHS, a … Continue Reading
June 01, 2021
Chairs Thompson and Barragán Release Statement on the Biden Administration Formally Ending ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy
(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 news the Biden Administration is formally ending the Trump Administration's reprehensible 'Remain in Mexico' policy, which forced migrants to wait in inhumane conditions indefinitely before being allowed to come to the U.S.: "We … Continue Reading
May 28, 2021
Senate Republicans Filibuster January 6 Commission Legislation and Fail to Stand Up for Democracy
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that Senate Republicans filibustered bipartisan legislation to create an independent commission to investigate the January 6 domestic terrorism attack on the Capitol. "While I thank the few Senate Republicans that stood up for the truth and our democracy today, it is shameful that most acceded to Mitch McConnell's 'personal request' that they … Continue Reading
May 25, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on New TSA Security Directive for Pipeline Cybersecurity
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on reports the Transportation Security Administration is issuing a security directive for pipeline cybersecurity: "While the Colonial Pipeline attack shows there is much more work to be done to protect the nation's pipelines and other critical infrastructure from cyber attacks, this TSA security directive is a major step in the right direction towards … Continue Reading
May 23, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on DHS Designating Haiti for TPS Status
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced that Haitians will be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS): "I am pleased that the Biden Administration has made Haitians - who face violence and destabilization in their home country - eligible for Temporary Protected Status. It was clear this move was necessary even though the previous … Continue Reading
May 20, 2021
Homeland Security Committee Announces Hearing with Colonial Pipeline CEO After Ransomware Cyber Attack
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, announced that the Committee will hold a full Committee hearing on June 9 with the CEO of the Colonial Pipeline as part of its ongoing oversight of the cybersecurity of our critical infrastructure after the ransomware attack on the company's networks last week. Full Committee Virtual Hearing: Cyber Threats in the Pipeline: Using Lessons from the Colonial Ransomware Attack to Defend … Continue Reading
May 20, 2021
Thompson & Maloney Release Statement on DHS Severing Ties with ICE Facility After Joint Investigation into Allegations of Abuse
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Oversight and Reform Committee, released the below statement on news that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to sever its ties with the Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Georgia, an ICE facility run by LaSalle Corrections. Last year, disturbing allegations of … Continue Reading
May 17, 2021
Maloney, Thompson Statement on Staff Briefing with Colonial Pipeline
(WASHINGTON)-Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement after today's joint staff briefing with Colonial Pipeline: "Following today's briefing from Colonial Pipeline, we remain extremely concerned about the rise in ransomware attacks and the threat to our nation and its critical infrastructure. It is deeply troubling that cyber … Continue Reading
May 14, 2021
Long Awaited DHS & DOJ Domestic Terrorism Data Report Finally Released
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement on the release of the overdue Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice report on data concerning acts of terrorism, including domestic terrorism, and the Federal government's response. The unclassified report, which is required by law, was due more than 10 months ago - on June 17, 2020. "As someone who has long championed the urgent need for … Continue Reading
May 14, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on Updated DHS Public Bulletin on the Domestic 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 domestic terrorism threat: "I am glad to see Secretary Mayorkas and DHS leadership taking important steps to inform the public about threats to our homeland security both here and from abroad. I look forward to continuing to work … Continue Reading