Bennie Thompson

I would also remind Members that this administration has taken advantage of its authority to waive all legal requirements to build border barriers.

The President promised time and again that Mexico would pay for the wall. Instead, he has left American taxpayers to foot the bill.

One of the most wasteful of these policies is fixation on a boondoggle border wall.

It is no secret that I am concerned with President Trump's border security policies.

If the American taxpayers are paying for a political statement, then we have the right to review it.

If we can fly people to the Moon and back, surely we can see people trying to cross the border.

This administration has taken advantage of its authority to waive all legal requirements to build border barriers.

This issue continues to be a top priority for this committee.

I applaud the great work that is being done by this administration--it is clear that it is taking the increased domestic extremism threats seriously.

Some of these attacks targeted houses of worship and other religious institutions, a trend we have increasingly seen Nation-wide.

But I remain deeply concerned about privacy, transparency, data security, and the accuracy of this technology and want to ensure these concerns are addressed before the Department deploys it further.

I want to reiterate that I am not wholly opposed to the use of facial recognition technology, as I recognize that it can be valuable to homeland security and serve as a facilitation tool for the Department's varying missions.

Be assured that under my leadership this committee will continue to hold the Department accountable for treating all Americans equitably and ensuring that our rights are protected.

Many forget that the United States is, after all, an Arctic nation, given the geography of Alaska.

The vastness of U.S. Arctic waters and a changing environment place increasing demands on the Coast Guard.

I would like to thank Chairman Correa and Ranking Member Lesko for holding today's hearing on homeland security priorities in the Arctic--our Nation's northernmost border.

They need to have their antennae.

We need to enhance and write legislation dealing with the reporting.

Evaluate the adverse impacts that violent extremists and domestic terrorists, including those inspired by violent white supremacy ideologies, have on faith-based and other vulnerable communities.

The time for thoughts and prayers has passed--the time now is for action.

It is time for us to act.

Congress must continue to advocate for policies that protect the Jewish community and all communities impacted by acts of domestic terror.

I was proud to introduce H.R. 2476, the American Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019, which authorizes the Nonprofit Security Grant Program for years to come.

Unfortunately, recent events have once again confirmed that anti-Semitic violence is an urgent and growing threat to the homeland.

This hearing is an opportunity for all Members of Congress to come together and condemn acts of domestic terrorism and targeted violence motivated by anti-Semitism.