Bennie Thompson

So, who is watching the henhouse, with respect to privacy? That is the question that causes me concern.

Clearly, UAVs have many beneficial uses in the National airspace and, when used within proper parameters, can serve as an important tool in securing the homeland.

I would first like to thank Chairman McCaul for holding this hearing on a very timely subject.

Let me start by saying I strongly support the administration's decision to identify and remove aliens who may pose a threat to National security or public safety.

The program must be administered to guard against racial profiling and protect community-police relations.

I strongly support the administration's decision to identify and remove aliens who may pose a threat to National security or public safety.

We owe it to our Nation's first responders to ensure that they have the resources needed to perform their jobs and to get it right when we alter the allowable uses for those funds. Getting it right in this body requires deliberation and…

I thank the gentleman from New York for his commitment. I reserve the balance of my time.

Our Nation's ports are as diverse as the people they serve. The importance of this infrastructure to the global supply chain cannot be overstated. Enactment of H.R. 4005 will help ensure that our limited security resources can be targeted…

I have no more speakers. If the gentleman from New York has no more speakers, then I am prepared to close.

I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close. I would note that my support for the SMART Port Security Act is rooted in not only the improvements in the TWIC Program but also in what it seeks to do in order to improve…

So your testimony is that some of this cargo is already here before we look at it?

Well, I am aware of information that you have shared from time to time.

I think implicit in that is if it is not feasible, practicable, affordable; whether it would have undue interference.

But, Madam Secretary, you know, Congress said you shall do it.

Over the past decade, seemingly as a result of United States' counternarcotics efforts in Mexico and Central America, the Caribbean region has become a key transshipment point for drugs flowing into the United States.

Many of our tips to uncover active terrorist plots in the United States have come from the Muslim community.

The cooperation of Muslim and Arab-American communities has been absolutely 'essential in identifying, and preventing, terrorist threats.'

America counts millions of Muslims among our citizens. And Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country.

The Department of Homeland Security has made unprecedented efforts to better secure our borders in recent years, with the support of Congress.

Thank you very much, Mr. Ranking Member. The point I would like to make, Mr. Chairman, is that 2.1 million workers have TWIC cards. Through no fault of their own, they will be required to renew those cards unless we act. I appreciate this…

If there is a disconnect, I want you to help us identify it and, you know, these are American companies, American jobs that we could do.

For the past 3 months, the Transportation Security Administration has been engaged in negotiations with AFGE over a contract.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Now is the time for you to show leadership and personally commit yourself to securing a timely and fair agreement.