The Public Record
Bennie Gordon Thompson is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Mississippi's 2nd congressional district since 1993. A member of the Democratic Party, Thompson has been a prominent voice in Congress on issues related to homeland security, having served as the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. Throughout his tenure, he has focused on various aspects of national security and has been an advocate for addressing threats posed by terrorism and drug cartels.
Even before the election, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin directed hackers to penetrate the email accounts of high-ranking Democratic party officials.
Cybersecurity is at the forefront of American politics in a way that, in my 24 years in Congress, I have never seen.
I have said it several times and I will continue, we need an independent commission to fully investigate Russia's interference with the election and any potential Trump campaign ties to Putin and his policies.
However, just a little over a month into the Trump administration, the President, through his ill-conceived and hasty U.S. counterterrorism policies seeks to weaken counterterrorism defenses built over the 16 years since 9/11.
This careless Executive Order and President Trump's inflammatory rhetoric used throughout his campaign and during his presidency provides propaganda for terrorist networks and alienates our allies within the United States and abroad.
I want to offer my condolences to the family of Srinivas Kuchibhotla and my prayers for a speedy recovery for Alok Madasani who were brutally shot in Kansas City Kansas, and senselessly gunned down by an angry racist.
The United States cannot make more enemies than we are making friends--we cannot afford to turn our friends into enemies or absent allies when we need them to fight terrorist threats.
Words matter as well as actions--we need diplomacy and a strong homeland security plan bolstered by a military that can come to the fore if peaceful efforts to resolve disputes fail.
The climate that the Nation is in at this moment poses the greatest threat to Homeland Security than at any other time since the days following September 11, 2001.
Real border security does not come from vaguely worded, politically charged Executive Orders or fancy signing ceremonies, but rather by providing the right personnel and tools to get the job done.
The work done to ensure that the Federal Government is accountable to the American people is more valuable than ever.
What impact do you anticipate President Donald Trump's Federal Hiring Freeze Executive Order will have on DHS's ability to remain consistent with this recommendation?
No government agency, no matter how dysfunctional, will change on its own accord. Independent oversight is a critical and necessary ingredient for positive, constructive change.
they are not to be questioned and are unwilling to subject their activities to oversight from the press, Congress, and Federal watchdogs.
The dysfunction you speak of has certainly been evident from Day One of President Trump's administration.
Unless the House Republicans step up, they risk the American public and history seeing them as puppets of a President.
I served as Ranking Member of the full committee when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast, and as Chairman as the long, protracted recovery process began.
I appreciate Chairman Donovan and Ranking Member Payne for holding today's hearing so the committee can continue to examine FEMA.
we are going to have to figure out a way at least to share that burden in some equitable manner.
a uniform set of codes that if you want to participate in the disaster offerings that we have, you must have these on the books and enforced which would go a long ways toward addressing that.
I have been involved in a number of disasters, but one that comes to mind is dealing with the Federal Flood Insurance Program, and how I see insurance companies shifting the burden and liability onto the backs of that program.
I urge the Trump administration to be inclusive in this regard, and to continue Administrator Fugate's 'whole community' emphasis on disaster preparedness.
The important progress FEMA has made in carrying out its mission since Hurricane Katrina demonstrates the good that can come of a positive relationship between Congress and FEMA.
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