Press Releases
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
January 21, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on the Biden Administration’s Transportation Mask Mandate
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Biden Administration announcing today that masks will be required on public modes of transportation, including on planes, trains, buses, and at airports: "I am relieved that the Biden Administration is accepting the science and is implementing a mask mandate for public modes of transportation. Although many of us urged the Trump Administration to make … Continue Reading
January 20, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on President Biden’s Immigration and Border Security Actions
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Biden's immigration and border security executive actions: "Today, President Biden turned the page on a dark chapter in American history. By signing these executive actions on his first day in office, we will protect Dreamers, end the discriminatory Muslim ban, and stop wasteful border wall construction. While we still have much work to do, … Continue Reading
January 19, 2021
Thompson Statement on FEMA Denying Maryland and Virginia Emergency Declaration Requests
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news that FEMA has denied requests from Maryland and Virginia for an emergency declaration to assist in costs related to the domestic terrorist attack on the Capitol and the Inauguration: "It is unconscionable that the Trump Administration, in one of its final acts, would deny emergency funding to Maryland and Virginia after domestic terrorists attacked … Continue Reading
January 14, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on Family Separation Watchdog Report
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General report on the Trump Administration's family separation policy: "This report confirms what we already knew: that the Trump Administration intended to separate families at the border. They knew the consequences and did it anyway. Administration leaders did not coordinate the policy among agencies or … Continue Reading
January 12, 2021
Chairs Issue Statement After FBI Briefing on Investigation of ‘Siege of the U.S. Capitol’ and Preparations for Inauguration
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Committee on Oversight and Reform Chair Carolyn B. Maloney, Committee on the Judiciary Chair Jerrold Nadler, Committee on Homeland Security Chair Bennie G. Thompson, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chair Adam B. Schiff, Committee on Armed Services Chair Adam Smith, and Oversight Committee Member Stephen F. Lynch issued the following statement after a briefing from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and D.C. U.S. Attorney's Office relating to the deadly … Continue Reading
January 11, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement on Chad Wolf’s Resignation from DHS
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on Chad Wolf's resignation from the Department of Homeland Security: "For months we have known Chad Wolf has been serving illegally in his position, so the timing of his resignation from the Department today is questionable. He has chosen to resign during a time of national crisis and when domestic terrorists may be planning additional attacks on our … Continue Reading
January 08, 2021
Chairman Thompson Statement After Twitter Finally Bans President Trump
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement after Twitter permanently banned President Trump: "After years of the President using Twitter's platform to spread lies, spew hate, and damage the fabric of our democracy, Twitter has finally banned him for perpetual incitement of violence. This is welcome, but long overdue, news. To be clear, the President's words matter and have resulted in division and … Continue Reading
January 07, 2021
Chairman Thompson: TSA and FBI Must Add Suspected Domestic Terrorists to No-Fly List and Keep Them Off Planes
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement urging the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to use their authorities to add the violent perpetrators involved in the domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol yesterday to the No-Fly List and keep them off planes: "Given the heinous domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol yesterday, I am … Continue Reading