Legislation
Chairman Thompson to Introduce Legislation to Address Border Humanitarian Crisis
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced that he will be introducing legislation to address the humanitarian crisis at the border. The Strategic and Humane Southern Border Migrant Response Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to take a smarter approach to addressing conditions for migrant families and unaccompanied children seeking asylum while combatting human smugglers and trafficking operations targeting … Continue Reading
June 28, 2019
Chairman Thompson Introduces Legislation to Improve FEMA’s Advance Contracting Process
(WASHINGTON) - This week, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced legislation to improve FEMA's advance contracting process, based on recommendations from a recent audit by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). If passed, H.R. 3500, the Federal Advance Contracts Enhancement (FACE) Act, would require FEMA to ensure more effective use and management of its advance contracts for goods and services. "Recent hurricanes like Irma and Maria … Continue Reading
June 26, 2019
Thompson, Richmond Introduce Legislation to Improve Coast Guard Academy
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation, introduced two pieces of legislation to improve the Coast Guard Academy. H.R. 3488, the Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act, introduced by Chairman Thompson, would help improve diversity at the Academy, a response to the low levels of minority enrollment at the Academy and … Continue Reading
June 05, 2019
Chairman Thompson, Committee Democrats Introduce Legislation to Bolster Domestic Terrorism Data Transparency and Research
June 5, 2019 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced H.R. 3106, the Domestic Terrorism Documentation and Analysis of Threats in America Act, or the Domestic Terrorism DATA Act, in order to foster transparency surrounding domestic terrorism data and increase research on the issue. "Domestic terrorism, fueled largely by a surge in white supremacist extremism, presents a growing threat to the security of our homeland. In … Continue Reading
May 21, 2019
Thompson, Grassley Reintroduce American Red Cross Transparency Act
WASHINGTON - Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today introduced legislation to give the congressional watchdog arm complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes. The bipartisan, bicameral American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2019 responds to concerns that the Red Cross tried to quash a review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of its practices, successfully limiting the scope of the … Continue Reading
May 10, 2019
Thompson, Lofgren, Sarbanes Introduce Comprehensive Election Security Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Chairperson of the Committee on House Administration, and Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD), Chair of the Democracy Reform Task Force, introduced H.R. 2660, the Election Security Act - legislation to help protect our elections against malevolent attacks and foreign interference. Russia's unprecedented assault on the country's elections in 2016 exposed serious national … Continue Reading
May 02, 2019
Chairman Thompson, Bipartisan Group of Representatives Introduce Legislation to Help Protect Non-Profits Including Synagogues, Churches, and Mosques From Terrorist Attacks
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security - along with Reps. Peter King (R-NY), Max Rose (D-NY), Steve Stivers (R-OH), Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), and Troy Balderson (R-OH) - introduced legislation to ensure necessary Federal support to protect the safety of non-profits at risk of terrorism, including synagogues, mosques, churches, and other places of worship. "It's a sad fact that our houses of worship are living under the threat of … Continue Reading
February 28, 2019
Chairman Thompson Introduces Bill to Improve DHS Workforce Morale
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) introduced legislation to improve morale among the 240,000 employees of the Department of Homeland Security. H.R. 1433, the Department of Homeland Security Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement (DHS MORALE) Act would create and catalogue leadership development opportunities, identify and address factors that impact employee engagement, and recognize employee contributions. “It’s unfortunate that the … Continue Reading
October 01, 2018
Thompson Introduces Coast Guard Academy Diversity Reform Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced the introduction of new legislation to improve diversity and institute other necessary reforms at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The Coast Guard Academy Improvement Act (H.R. 6905) is a response to the low levels of minority enrollment at the Academy and news accounts of allegations of a discriminatory and racially hostile environment at the Academy. Congressman Thompson … Continue Reading
September 12, 2018
Thompson Introduces HBCU and Homeland Security Partnership Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Homeland Security Partnerships Act (H.R. 6772). Under this legislation, DHS would be required to issue a strategy including yearly goals for enhancing partnerships with HBCUs and minority-serving institutions. This legislation also requires DHS to monitor and report on implementation of the strategy thereby ensuring the … Continue Reading
February 07, 2018
Vela Announces Introduction of the Border and Ports Security Act
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Congressman Filemon Vela (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Border and Maritime Subcommittee, announced introduction of H.R. 4940, the Border and Ports Security Act along with the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS). This bill, which has the full support of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), would increase U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)’s capacity to screen passengers and facilitate trade at international … Continue Reading
November 28, 2017
Rep. Watson Coleman Announces Legislation to Enhance Security of Surface Transportation Assets
Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Vice Ranking Member on the House Committee on Homeland Security, announced the Surface Transportation and Public Area Security Act of 2017. If enacted, the legislation would restore, revamp, and resource important programs aimed at securing critical soft targets, such as railroads, buses and the public areas of airports. The bill would also greatly enhance federal partnership with state and local stakeholders to protect these vital transit systems … Continue Reading
November 02, 2017
Thompson Introduces Air Cargo Security Legislation
(WASHINGTON) - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced the Air Cargo Security Improvement Act of 2017 (H.R. 4176). This legislation directs the Transportation Security Administration to take a number of steps to enhance air cargo security efforts and requires TSA aggressively move towards addressing current and future threats to air cargo. A foiled overseas ISIS terror plot this summer underscores the need for improving air cargo … Continue Reading
July 20, 2017
House Passes Landmark Department of Homeland Security Authorization
(WASHINGTON) - Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, our nation’s leaders created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better protect our country. Fifteen years later, the Department still has not been reauthorized by Congress. Reforming and improving DHS through a first-ever comprehensive reauthorization is key to staying ahead of ever-evolving threats. Today, under the bipartisan leadership of House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Ranking Member Bennie G. … Continue Reading
June 20, 2017
Bill to Improve Workforce Morale at DHS Passes House
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced House passage of legislation he sponsored to improve morale within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) workforce: the Department of Homeland Security Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2017 or DHS MORALE Act (H.R. 2283). The DHS MORALE Act will: Authorize DHS-wide employee engagement, leadership development, rotational opportunities, as well as … Continue Reading
May 03, 2017
Thompson, Lowey Introduce Bill to Improve TSA Frontline Workforce
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, along with Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Committee on Appropriations, introduced legislation to ensure that the more than 44,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) who serve on the frontlines at our airports are provided basic Federal workplace protections and rights that are provided to other Federal employees under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. These protections … Continue Reading
April 06, 2017
Congressman Thompson Introduces Bill To Protect Daniela Vargas
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced a private bill to prevent the deportation of Daniela Vargas, a DACA recipient from Jackson, Mississippi. Ms. Vargas was taken into custody last month by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after participating in a public media event to protest the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. She was released nine days later from a detention center in Louisiana but an … Continue Reading
March 10, 2017
Legislation Introduced to Help Protect JCCs, Non-Profits
(WASHINGTON) - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced the Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2017 (H.R. 1486) to ensure that non-profits across the country that are at risk of terrorism have the Federal support needed to stay safe. In just the first three months of 2017, there have been a spate of threats against 71 of the nation’s 151 Jewish Community Centers, five Anti-Defamation League locations, and … Continue Reading
March 02, 2017
Thompson, Grassley Introduce American Red Cross Transparency Act
(WASHINGTON) - Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today introduced legislation to give the congressional watchdog arm complete access to American Red Cross records for oversight purposes. The bipartisan, bicameral American Red Cross Transparency Act of 2017 responds to concerns that the Red Cross tried to quash a review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of its practices, successfully limiting the scope of the review, and has failed to be as transparent as … Continue Reading
January 31, 2017
DHS Security Clearance Legislation Passes House
(WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced House passage of legislation he sponsored - H.R. 697 - the Department of Homeland Security Clearance Management and Administration Act. This bill, which previously passed the House in 2015, makes specific reforms in how the Department of Homeland Security manages its security clearance processes. Specifically, it addresses how DHS identifies positions that warrant clearances, … Continue Reading