Bennie Thompson

When first responders across this country are called to action, they know that inaction or delay can cost lives.

We cannot afford to miss opportunities to provide first responders the tools they need to protect the public.

Adequately trained and equipped first responders are the foundation of our response plans.

Congress cut funding for the Department of Homeland Security by $2 billion in fiscal year 2012.

We remain interested in learning more about TSA efforts to address GAO's plan for improved utilization of AIT.

However, I find the Majority's focus on whether TSA's front-line workforce is the right size inconsistent with their calls to privatize screeners.

Accordingly, a review of TSA staffing levels is an appropriate area to explore and this is the appropriate committee to explore it.

Ensuring the security of our Nation's transportation systems is a vital Federal responsibility--a responsibility that the Members of this committee take seriously.

Therefore, we are keenly interested in the utilization concerns raised by your most recent report and would like to request a follow-up audit on TSA's efforts to address utilization challenges identified in your previous work.

Democratic Members of the committee repeatedly requested, in public and private settings, that DHS ensure that the President's mandate be carried out in a successful and efficient manner.

Unfortunately, other committees continue to attempt to encroach on this committee's jurisdiction over the Transportation Security Administration.

I have never seen a witness take on another Member's testimony and not answer the question that he was asked.

I noted that there were domestic groups that may constitute a threat because of linkages between extreme ideology and a willingness to take violent action.

Today's hearing is the fifth hearing in this committee's series on radicalization in the American-Muslim community.

I am not sure we have ever had a hearing to gauge the effects of prior hearings.

Today's hearing does not pose a question. It makes a statement; Iran, Hezbollah, and the threat to the homeland.

Questions From Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson for Qanta A.A. Ahmed

The Honorable Bennie G. Thompson, a Representative in Congress From the State of Mississippi, and Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security.

As a Homeland Security Committee, we are charged with the responsibility of ensuring this Nation's security.

I do not think any of us would want a community to be at risk because of policies that we are doing.

I think the application ought to be across the board so that if a cut is there, it is tied to risk.

I do not think any of what we should do should be to have the result of being punitive.

On behalf of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), our more than 1,500 member organizations, and the millions of Americans who regularly ride public transportation, I write to offer APTA's views on the proposed fiscal year…

Before this Government undertakes such a radical change in funding for these vital programs, Congress must ask some vital questions.

In fiscal year 2012 the Congress passed a bill mandating funding cuts in important Homeland Security grant programs.