Bennie Thompson

I take seriously the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission that, should our first responders be called upon once again to respond to a terrorist attack, they have the training and equipment they need to do so more safely.

I have been responsible for overseeing how the Federal Government supports State and local preparedness and response activities for well over a decade.

Protecting and expanding the Housing Credit is critical

The other thing I talked about was airports having put TSA on notice already about the summer months, the anticipated long lines.

I have referenced the FAMS program and that only 5 percent of the FAMS are female. Have you challenged your team to address that problem?

I think you have to get your team to follow the instructions of Congress. That is real important.

Your leadership and vision at TSA are greatly appreciated. You and I share the goal of moving TSA in a better direction.

We, as a committee with oversight jurisdiction of transportation security matters, have the great responsibility of ensuring that the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border…

We are fortunate to have Members representing border districts--one on the Northern Border and one on the Southern Border--leading the discussion today.

That is why I have worked hard to advance programs that improve the National capability to prevent--and mitigate the impact of--biological events affecting agriculture.

Any significant disruption to the agriculture industry there... would have devastating rippling effects throughout the State and the Nation.

I represent a district in Mississippi where agriculture is the No. 1 source of income.

We don't hire people in the Senior Executive Schedule to be babysat.

What I do find appalling is that the Department official ultimately responsible for both acquisition and human resource management at DHS is not appearing today.

The Government Accountability Office has found that DHS has made little progress in implementing its Human Resources Information Technology Investment (HRIT).

It is not shocking that the subject of today's hearing is another acquisition failure at the Department.

Earlier this Congress, this subcommittee heard from the Federal Government in detail the roles that the Department of Homeland Security takes in its mission to secure information networks and provide resilience, not only to Government…

I know I hear from many of the main-street businesses in my District when I hold meetings on cyber--that many are struggling with their cybersecurity efforts.

Over the past 7 years, President Obama has been very involved on the issue of protecting critical infrastructure.

Cyber insurance is a way to share risks so when a cyber data breach event occurs, the insured company receives a payment to compensate for the losses.

To be honest, I want to make sure that I am just not hearing another hearing for another Congress, saying the same thing.

It is penny-wise and pound-foolish to make such cuts even to these effective programs.

I find it remarkable that today I sit here with a new Subcommittee Chairman asking many of the same questions I was asking 3 years ago.

I appreciate Mr. Payne and Ms. McSally's efforts to continue those efforts.

I have grown frustrated that we seem to be having the same hearing over and over again.