Bennie Thompson

But my oath, your oath, all of our oaths here today to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, will be our guiding light for this investigation.

We are here today to talk about the use of modern financial technologies for terrorist fundraising and financing.

Thank you to our witnesses for joining us today.

In 2018, the Office was created with the dual mission of preventing a Weapons of Mass Destruction attack against the United States and leading DHS's efforts to safeguard the United States against chemical, biological, radiological…

I am glad to have Acting Assistant Secretary Rasicot and Director Currie at today's hearing to discuss the status of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD) at this critical time.

In August 2019, I, along with then-Ranking Member Mike Rogers and our Senate counterparts, wrote to DHS to express our concerns about the changes under way at CWMD.

This legislation reflects recommendations made by those who have closely examined the challenges facing DHS.

Some have embraced the notion DHS must that be dismantled, but that is not the answer.

Unfortunately, under President Trump the Department had a myopic focus on immigration and border security at the expense of its other missions.

DHS must refocus its mission to best respond to the most serious threats facing our Nation.

Fixing jurisdiction over DHS is one of the only recommendations of the 9/11 Commission that has yet to be resolved.

Either the 21st or 22nd of July, the committee is committed to doing our job, as I say with hope that Kevin McCarthy gives us his fire recommendation so we can fully populate the committee. But if he chooses not to, we will still do our…

Absolutely. With hope that Kevin McCarthy gives us his five recommendations so we can fully populate the committee. But if he chooses not to, we will still do our work.

We want to get it done. We will hire the best investigators. And we will do whatever we need to do to get to the facts.

I will not, as chair, allow this commission -- committee to be used as a political pawn. We will do what`s in the best interests of this country.

I would suggest he read the resolution establishing the select committee. The scope of the committee is quite clear as to what our responsibilities are.

We will go where the facts lead us. Nothing is sacred.

It`s clear that this committee has to work. We`re not interested in people who are distracters in doing the work.

If there are members of Congress who were complicit in what went on on January 6, our investigation will bring it out.

In a democracy, you can’t settle your differences by an insurrection. Democracy is settled at the ballot box, not by an insurrection is mob-like we had on the sixth.

It is unfair that one's worth determines the disaster when we are all Americans.

I applaud the Biden administration for selecting highly-qualified individuals who reflect the diversity of our great Nation.

The investigation made clear that the Lieutenant Commander's allegations were never investigated properly.

We must honor his service by working to ensure more minority cadets enter and graduate from the Academy.

We look forward to partnering in 'Building the Coast Guard America Needs'.