Bennie Thompson

In the end, it is a tactic without a strategy, and so we have to determine--you have to determine--what is really our strategy?

However, in this committee, we must try to provide an understanding of the possible homeland security implications of military action.

Today, I hope we can discuss the ripple effects of our action or inaction in the Syrian conflict.

The current civil war in Syria began 3 years ago as a popular uprising against the Assad regime.

I urge you to once again attempt to move your leadership to assure that a meaningful cybersecurity bill can come to the House floor in the face of the risk of retaliation from the SEA.

Hopefully, this renewed focus will yield meaningful results.

We are extremely pleased to see that the President's Executive Order on chemical facility security has been issued.

I believe that with a lot of work and a lot of smart people in the CFATS program, we can do better.

There needs to be a sense of urgency on this issue at all levels.

Had that information sharing occurred in West, Texas, some of the death and property damage could have been mitigated.

Unfortunately, the West facility explosion undermines that sense of confidence.

As the scale of death and destruction has come into focus, Americans have been forced to ask themselves some very tough questions.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I thank our witnesses for their expected testimony.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, multiple layers of security were put in place to protect our aviation system from terrorists and those who seek to do us harm.

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. At the outset, I would also remind you that the Democratic Caucus is meeting and the President of the United States is speaking with them at the exact time that we are holding this hearing.

As I have no further speakers and I am prepared to close, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 1542 today. Enactment of this measure will strengthen the partnership between the Department of Homeland…

Several years ago, this committee passed the legislation that became the DHS' Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program.

It is critical that every dollar be accounted for and used to address known and emerging security vulnerabilities.

At some point we are going to have to get our arms around it and just make it work and make it happen.

It is essential to both our economy and security posture for TSA to effectively partner with small businesses.

While the agency needs the flexibility to respond to emerging threats, such flexibility should not come at the expense of a long-term vision.

With billions of taxpayers' dollars being spent by TSA every year, it is critical that every dollar be accounted for.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank the witnesses for appearing here today.

Statement for the Record submitted by Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson

I share your concerns about terrorism in this country since September 11 and look forward to a full discussion.