Bennie Thompson

In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York, I would like to offer my sympathies to the victims and their families.

The goodness of this country is that we have marketed ourselves as a bastion of democracy and that if there are individuals who want to come and meet our test for coming, then they are welcome.

I look forward to continuing a bipartisan effort with the Chairman to give DHS what the 9/11 commissioners recommended over 10 years ago--a single principal point of oversight and review for homeland security.

I have seen the triple fence near San Diego, ridden along the border with ranchers in Arizona, and observed Border Patrol Agents processing unaccompanied children in South Texas.

After visiting southern Arizona at the request of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others and meeting with constituents there, I have first-hand knowledge of residents' concerns.

Our goal has become shifting away from a need-to-know culture to a need-to-share environment.

Information sharing is critical to our Nation's security.

It doesn't stretch the imagination that Mr. Putin would now try his hand at manipulating the course of American democracy.

If reports of Russia's involvement are confirmed, the only reasonable conclusion is that leaders in Russia are stealing and disseminating information in an effort to sway an election in the United States.

This cyber attack amounts to more than a public embarrassment or harmless mischief.

The DNC hack was plainly cyber crime.

We are deeply troubled by reports of a Russia-supported hacking of Democratic National Committee data.

Yet, many of the same people in this body and the administration who labeled past mass shootings... were quick to dismiss the notion that the Dallas attack was an act of terrorism.

In contrast, last summer, when a gunman... opened fire on 9 parishioners in Charleston, South Carolina, many in this body... refused to label this attack an 'act of terrorism.'

Without training, direction, or support by a foreign terrorist organization, the Orlando assailant... carried out the deadliest shooting in American history.

Unfortunately, today, the Nation finds itself in a period of heated rhetoric-fueled by fear.

We must be able to keep guns out of the hands of terrorists.

Yet, in the hours and days post-Orlando, members of this body and the Executive branch wasted no time labeling this tragedy as an act of terrorism.

Today, Americans legitimately fear infiltration by the violent ideology espoused by ISIL.

This is the greatest threat of our time, and I urge each of you today to explain to this committee--and to the American people--how you are planning to elevate our defenses to keep Americans safe.

In a time where threats and issues regarding domestic and foreign terrorists, emergency preparedness, immigration, and aviation seem to be at the forefront of our thoughts and concerns, the issues surrounding how we secure the information…

As we assess allegations of misconduct and mismanagement within TSA, we have to be aware of the fact that such behavior has real and direct implications for our National security.

Right now, I think TSA is in the midst of sort of a perfect storm.

In light of the recent attacks at airports in Istanbul and Brussels, I think we are all more cognizant than ever of the importance of TSA's mission.

I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time to close. Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hurd).