Press Releases
Chairs Thompson, Clarke Release Statement on President Biden’s Cybersecurity Executive Order
(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 on President Biden issuing an executive order to improve the nation's cybersecurity and protect federal government networks: "Cybersecurity is a national security issue, and we commend the Administration for prioritizing it that way. … Continue Reading
May 03, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on the Biden Administration Beginning to Reunite Separated Families
(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 the Biden Administration has begun to reunite families separated by the previous administration: "I thank the Biden Administration for their nonstop work to reunite families and address the trauma and harm caused by the Trump Administration's horrific family separation policy. With this week's … Continue Reading
April 28, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on President Biden’s Address to Congress
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement tonight following President Joe Biden's first address to a Joint Session of Congress as he marks 100 days in office: "Tonight, President Biden offered a unifying vision for America and a path forward to address the many crises facing our country. As he approaches 100 days in office, it is clear that America has the leadership necessary to live up to its … Continue Reading
April 27, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on DHS Extending the REAL ID Implementation Deadline
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has extended the REAL ID Act implementation deadline to May 3, 2023. "Given that the COVID-19 pandemic has gone on for over year and has drastically impacted REAL ID compliance rates, it is sensible that DHS has adjusted the implementation deadline accordingly. Even though COVID-19 numbers are improving … Continue Reading
April 22, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on HUD Watchdog Report on Trump Administration Stalling Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief, Stonewalling Investigation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report out today on the Trump Administration putting up bureaucratic obstacles that stalled approximately $20 billion in hurricane relief that Congress appropriated for Puerto Rico and then obstructing an investigation into the matter. In 2019, Chairman Thompson, along … Continue Reading
April 15, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on the Biden Administration Announcing New Sanctions Against Russia
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced a new executive order and additional sanctions to hold Russia accountable for the SolarWinds hack and their interference in the 2020 election: "Since day one, President Biden has taken swift action to confront Vladimir Putin on Russian election meddling and the SolarWinds attack. Today's sanctions build on this action … Continue Reading
April 12, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on President Biden’s Nominations for Key Cybersecurity Positions
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Biden's nominations of Jen Easterly to be Director of the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, Chris Inglis to be White House National Cyber Director, and Robert Silvers to be Homeland Security Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, & Plans: "As the nation continues to face unprecedented cybersecurity challenges, I am pleased … Continue Reading
April 09, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on the Biden Administration’s DHS Budget Request
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Biden Administration's fiscal year 2022 discretionary funding request for the Department of Homeland Security: "Though the Biden Administration's first budget request may not give a full picture of the forthcoming DHS request, it does reflect President Biden's willingness to confront urgent homeland security challenges like domestic terrorism and … Continue Reading
March 19, 2021
Thompson Statement on 100 Million Vaccinations Administered and Nearly 1000 FEMA Supported Vaccination Sites Under Biden Administration
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the announcement that the Biden Administration has overseen the administration of 100 million vaccines to the American people in just 58 days - 42 days ahead of the Administration's goal. The Biden Administration also announced that FEMA is supporting 939 community vaccination centers and FEMA has provided more than $4.39 billion to 40 states, D.C., four … Continue Reading
March 18, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on New Domestic Terrorism Government Assessment
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Biden Administration's unclassified summary of the joint comprehensive threat assessment on domestic violent extremism drafted by the Department of Homeland Security, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of Justice. "The Intelligence Community has confirmed again what we all saw come to life on January 6th: domestic … Continue Reading
February 26, 2021
Oversight and Homeland Security Committees Discussed Next Steps for Government and Private Tech Following SolarWinds Breach
(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, held a joint hearing examining recent cybersecurity incidents affecting government and private sector networks, including the supply chain attack targeting SolarWinds Orion Software and other cyberattacks. At the start of today's hearing, Chairwoman Maloney released a 23-page presentation from former SolarWinds … Continue Reading
February 22, 2021
Chairs Thompson and Clarke Release Statement on the Announcement That DHS Will Accelerate Actions to Help State and Local Governments Protect Their Networks
(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 on Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas' announcement that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will increase spending requirements for cybersecurity within its grant programs and evaluate the need for additional actions, … Continue Reading
February 19, 2021
Chairs Thompson and Slotkin Send Letter Seeking Answers on Potential Intelligence Failures before the Attack on the Capitol
(WASHINGTON) - 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, sent a letter to Melissa Smislova, Acting Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis, to better understand the role the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) played in facilitating the sharing of intelligence related to potential threats on January 6, … Continue Reading
February 12, 2021
Chairs Thompson and Barragán Release Statement on the Biden Administration 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 will soon start to undo the Trump Administration's abhorrent 'Remain in Mexico' policy, which forced migrants to wait in dangerous conditions indefinitely before being allowed to come to the … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Group of House Democrats Pushing for FEMA Cost-Share Reimbursement Applaud President Biden’s Latest Action That Will Help Communities Across the Country
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV), Chair of the Appropriations' Subcommittee on Homeland Security Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), and Chair of the Ways and Means' … Continue Reading
February 02, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on the Confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas as Homeland Security Secretary
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after Alejandro Mayorkas has been confirmed by the Senate to be Secretary of Homeland Security: "I am glad that the Senate finally confirmed Mr. Mayorkas to be the next Secretary of Homeland Security. But given the importance of this national security cabinet post, he should have been confirmed on day one of the Biden Administration. DHS has been without a … Continue Reading
January 29, 2021
Chairman Thompson Announces Homeland Security Committee Democratic Members and Subcommittee Chairs
(WASHINGTON) -Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement announcing the 19 Democratic Members of the Committee as well as the six Subcommittee Chairs and full Committee Vice Chair for the 117th Congress: "I'm excited to welcome our new Members - and welcome back other fine Members - to the Committee. Committee Democrats represent a diverse array of communities across our country and are well positioned to apply … Continue Reading
January 28, 2021
Thompson Statement on GAO Report Detailing the Trump Administration’s Failed COVID Response
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Government Accountability Office's report on the Federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic: "This report confirms what we already knew: the Trump Administration failed to take any meaningful action to improve the Federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic during its final months. Its inaction to address critical weaknesses that GAO previously identified, … Continue Reading
January 27, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on DHS Bulletin Warning the Public 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 the Department of Homeland Security issuing a National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin on the domestic terrorism threat in the wake of the attack on the Capitol: "I commend DHS for issuing today's National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin. The domestic terrorism attack on our Capitol earlier this month shined a light on a threat that has been … Continue Reading
January 25, 2021
Pelosi Announces Agreement on Committee Jurisdiction Regarding Department of Homeland Security
(WASHINGTON) - Speaker Nancy Pelosi today announced that the House Committee on Homeland Security and other House Committees have reached an agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding on jurisdictional issues regarding the Department of Homeland Security: "Reform of the Department of Homeland Security is urgently needed to ensure that it can achieve its critical mission: to keep the American people safe from all threats," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "To that end, I salute Chair Bennie … Continue Reading