Bennie Thompson

The top priority for the committee is to counter the serious and evolving terrorist threats facing our country.

Let me also express my deepest sympathy to the family of David Hillman, a retired CBP officer who was killed by a suicide bomb in Kandahar.

For the sake of the record, give us some of those varieties.

Therefore, I am concerned that the proposals to decrease FEMA's budget could limit the progress the agency has experienced in the last few years.

We must continue to make those critical investments in preparedness even in these tough economic times because preparedness and mitigation is cost-effective.

I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will end this dangerous budgetary strategy and pursue a course that provides our first responders with the financial certainty they need to fulfill their missions.

The revelation in Ridge's book is confirmation of what we suspected. The Bush White House sought to politicize homeland security and exploit Americans' fears about future attacks.

Therefore, I urge TSA to postpone final implementation of general aviation security regulations until the new TSA leadership has had the opportunity to review the NPRM and engage in discussion with Congress and industry stakeholders.

Yes, I believe in partnership with the Ranking Member. We are concerned about the industry, the jobs, and ensuring that we can have a balanced approach to the security of general aviation.

I think today's hearing will lay important markers about general aviation security and how DHS can more efficiently harness its resources.

Our Nation's diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

Hearing no objections, it is so ordered.

As I look at your $55 billion budget request for fiscal year 2010, I can't help but think about the stimulative impact that DHS could have if it went the extra mile and sought out small and minority businesses for contracting opportunities.

Do you think a goal of 90% premise registration is attainable under our current voluntary process?

Australia has some great examples. Canada has some great examples.

Chairman Thompson, there is not a country in the world that looks exactly like ours, in the terms of make-up of the production, the producers, and the government.

I would also like to compliment you on this hearing, but I would also like to say it is coming back home.

While we know that the most recent H1N1 incidents are in no way linked to the U.S. animal agriculture, the emergence of new viruses further demonstrates our need to not only be prepared to react to disease outbreaks, but to also undertake…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate your, again, holding this hearing.

We are fortunate to have the luxury of this hearing before something bad happens rather than examining this issue as a knee-jerk overreaction that could lead to bad biosecurity policy.

I would like to compliment you on this hearing, but I would also like to say it is coming back home.

I do not perceive that careful consultation with the people's representatives has previously characterized the development of White House Homeland Security policy and strategy.

We must resist this easy organizational chart test and look to the substance of how responsibilities are allocated and how we are being protected.

From our personal computers to Government networks to our critical infrastructure, the United States is under attack in cyberspace.

Thank you, Madam Chair, for holding this very critical hearing on the effectiveness of the PCI standards.