Bennie Thompson

I hope you will commit to reading these statements and responding to the concerns they raise.

Fostering diversity is critical to building a culture that welcomes and celebrates varied perspectives and experiences and ensures the Coast Guard reflects the public it serves.

I have long had concerns about the lack of diversity in the Coast Guard, especially among its officer ranks and among its leadership.

The Members of the committee may have additional questions for the Secretary and we ask that you respond expeditiously in writing to those questions.

I urge you, Mr. Secretary, to help ensure those remaining nominees reflect the diversity of the homeland your Department seeks to secure.

I am pleased the Biden administration is giving these matters the attention and resources they demand.

I am pleased the Biden administration is doing the hard work necessary to address the situation at the border for the long term.

The health and welfare of Members, witnesses, and staff should not be a political issue.

The attack on May 7 that resulted in the week-long shutdown of 5,500 miles of petroleum pipeline on the East Coast clearly represents a significant cyber attack on critical transportation infrastructure.

The attack on May 7 that resulted in a week-long shutdown of 5,500 miles of petroleum pipeline on the East Coast clearly represents a significant cyber attack on critical transportation infrastructure.

I applaud Vice President Harris for engaging with political leaders about corruption during her visit to Guatemala and Mexico earlier this week.

I commend the Biden administration for recognizing these actions for what they are--a threat to our National security.

Corruption adversely affects every aspect of society. It limits economic opportunities, fosters crime and violence, and erodes public trust.

Despite the claims of some of my colleagues, we do not need to return to the inhumane, cruel, and ultimately ineffective policies of the Trump administration.

We can secure our border and process people humanely and effectively, and I am grateful to Secretary Mayorkas and the Biden administration for leading us in that direction.

I strongly urge the administration to review Title 42 and take action to ensure that families are not faced with this terrible choice.

I am grateful for the Biden administration's efforts to ensure that unaccompanied children are able to receive proper care and access to protections guaranteed under United States law.

I hope to see the President send a clear message that turning a blind eye to cyber criminals who attack our critical infrastructure is completely unacceptable.

Let's keep our foot on the gas pedal. There is no other option.

We need a codified process of identifying Systemically Important Critical Infrastructure.

Everything should be on the table here, with Know Your Customer and cryptocurrency reporting requirements being the low-hanging fruit.

We cannot default to accepting extortion.

If your pipeline provides fuel to 45 percent of the East Coast, why are you only hardening systems after an attack?

Ultimately, strength only respects strength, and that's what we need to project now.

We need a complete understanding of the circumstances surrounding the ransomware attack against Colonial.