{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"MS\" and year = 2019 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/december-2019-newsletter", "December 2019 Newsletter", "2019-12-30", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...  \n\tTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.  \n\tSpread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read the newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-fulfills-promise-people-votes-pass-lower-drug-costs-now", "Congressman Thompson Fulfills Promise For The People, Votes to Pass the Lower Drug Costs Now Act", "2019-12-12", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "December 12, 2019\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie Thompson voted to pass H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, bold, transformative legislation to strengthen the health and financial security of America's seniors and families by finally stopping Americans from having to pay more for their medications than what Big Pharma charges for the same drugs in other countries.\n\nThe Lower Drug Costs Now Act finally levels the playing field for American patients and taxpayers:\n\nGives Medicare the power to negotiate directly with the drug companies, and creates powerful new tools to force drug companies to the table to agree to real price reductions, while ensuring seniors never lose access to the prescriptions they need.\n\nMakes the lower drug prices negotiated by Medicare available to Americans with private insurance, not just Medicare beneficiaries.\n\nStops drug companies ripping off Americans while charging other countries less for the same drugs, limiting the maximum price for any negotiated drug to be in line with the average price in countries like ours, where drug companies charge less for the same drugs \u2013 and admit they still make a profit.\n\nCreates a new, $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, and reverses years of unfair price hikes above inflation across thousands of drugs in Medicare.\n\nReinvests the hundreds of billions of dollars in savings in the most transformational improvement to Medicare since its creation \u2013 delivering vision, dental and hearing benefits \u2013 and turbocharging the search for new cures.\n\nH.R. 3 will reduce drug costs for millions of Americans in MS-02 and across the Mississippi:\n\nBreast Cancer: Mississippi patients could save $45,100 off the average total cost of the breast cancer medication Ibrance per year;\n\nLeukemia: Mississippi patients could save $66,300 off the average total cost of the leukemia medication Tasigna per year;\n\nProstate Cancer: Mississippi patients could save $72,100 off the average total cost of the prostate cancer medication Zytiga per year;\n\nArthritis: Mississippi patients could save $30,000 off their total costs on most arthritis drugs per year;\n\nAsthma: Mississippi patients could save $1,130 off their total costs on most Asthma drugs per year;\n\nHIV/AIDS: Mississippi patients could save $9,000 off their total costs on most HIV/AIDS drugs per year;\n\nMultiple Sclerosis: Mississippi patients could save $27,000 off their total costs on most MS drugs per year;\n\nDiabetes: Mississippi patients could save $15,000 off the average total cost of the insulin NovoLOG Flexpen per year.\n\nIn Mississippi:\n\n98% of Medicare beneficiaries are estimated to gain dental benefits;\n\n88% of Medicare beneficiaries are estimated to obtain vision benefits;\n\n84% of Medicare beneficiaries are estimated to secure hearing benefits.\n\n\"On behalf of the people of Mississippi and all Americans, I am proud to join my colleagues to pass the Lower Drug Costs Now Act to deliver significant savings for patients, employers and taxpayers and make critical investments in both the largest expansion of Medicare benefits since Medicare's creation, as well as an expansion of lifesaving research for the groundbreaking cures of the future,\" continued Rep. Thompson. \"With this historic step, House Democrats reaffirm our continued commitment to advance real progress that makes a difference for hard-working families.\"\n\nClick here to download Congressman Thompson's remarks", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/thompson-report-november-edition-0", "Thompson Report November Edition", "2019-12-02", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents. \nSpread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read entire newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/thompson-report-october-2019-edition-0", "Thompson Report October 2019 Edition", "2019-12-02", "2019", "2019-12", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Thompson Report\nWelcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.\nSpread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read the newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/thompson-report-october-2019-edition", "Thompson Report October 2019 Edition", "2019-11-04", "2019", "2019-11", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Thompson Report\nWelcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.\nClick here to read the newsletter.\nThank you!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/september-2019-newsletter", "September 2019 Newsletter", "2019-10-02", "2019", "2019-10", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.\nClick here to read this month's newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/august-2019-thompson-report", "August 2019 Thompson Report", "2019-08-29", "2019", "2019-08", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.\nClick here to read newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/thompson-report-juky-2019-edition", "Thompson Report July 2019 Edition", "2019-07-31", "2019", "2019-07", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...  \n\tTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.  \n\tSpread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read newsletter.  \n\tThank you", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-introduces-motor-carriers-accountability-act", "Congressman Thompson Introduces the Motor Carriers Accountability Act", "2019-07-10", "2019", "2019-07", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday Rep. Bennie Thompson introduced H.R. 3628, the Motor Carriers Accountability Act, a new piece of legislation designed to require motor carriers to mitigate hardships due to unwarranted and excessive passenger delays.\n\nThe legislation requires motor carriers to mitigate hardships due to unwarranted and excessive passenger delays in interstate motor carrier transportation. Motor carriers will be required to create and implement a contingency plan for passenger delays that last for three or more hours, which would include:\n\nProviding passengers with adequate food and water\n\nOperable lavatory facilities at stations\n\nA full refund of the price of a passenger's ticket if there is a delay and provide the remainder of the trip to the passenger without charge\n\n\"I am filing this legislation because of the absence of accountability to hold common carriers responsible for abandoning passengers. This issue has occurred several times in Jackson, MS, as well as other parts of the country. The facilities are often unsanitary and inhumane and the companies fail to offer passengers food or shelter to accommodate their delay,\" said Thompson.\n\nTravel by bus has been categorized by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics as the third most popular choice for long-distance travel. Bus Travel has continued to be the most traditional, efficient and cheapest mode of transportation for travelers. With bus travel being one of the most preferred modes of travel by passengers, motor carriers must be held accountable for excessive passenger delays.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:32:25Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-introduced-motor-carriers-accountability-act", "Congressman Thompson Introduced the Motor Carriers Accountability Act", "2019-07-09", "2019", "2019-07", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Thompson Introduced the Motor Carriers Accountability Act\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\nWASHINGTON  Today Rep. Bennie Thompson introduced H.R. 3628, the Motor Carriers Accountability Act, a new piece of legislation designed to require motor carriers to mitigate hardships due to unwarranted and excessive passenger delays.\n\nThe legislation requires motor carriers to mitigate hardships due to unwarranted and excessive passenger delays in interstate motor carrier transportation. Motor carriers will be required to create and implement a contingency plan for passenger delays that last for three or more hours, which would include:\n \nProviding passengers with adequate food and water\n\tOperable lavatory facilities at stations\n\tA full refund of the price of a passenger's ticket if there is a delay and provide the remainder of the trip to the passenger without charge.\n \n\nI am filing this legislation because of the absence of accountability to hold common carriers responsible for abandoning passengers. This issue has occurred several times in Jackson, MS, as well as other parts of the country. The facilities are often unsanitary and inhumane and the companies fail to offer passengers food or shelter to accommodate their delay, said Thompson.\n\nTravel by bus has been categorized by the Bureau of Transpiration Statistics as the third most popular choice for long-distance travel. Bus Travel has continued to be the most traditional, efficient and cheapest mode of transportation for travelers. With bus travel being one of the most preferred modes of travel by passengers, motor carriers must be held accountable for excessive passenger delays.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/june-2019-thompson-report", "June 2019 Thompson Report", "2019-06-26", "2019", "2019-06", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.\nSpread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read newsletter in its entirety.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bennie-thompson-announces-1199998-awarded-alcorn-state-university", "Congressman Bennie Thompson Announces $1,199,998 Awarded to Alcorn State University", "2019-06-18", "2019", "2019-06", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the National Science Foundation has awarded $1,199,998 to Alcorn State University to meet the demand of well-trained STEM teachers by preparing and supporting Scholars to become teachers at the elementary or secondary level in rural Southwest Mississippi in high-need school districts.\n\nThe project, entitled \"Be Brave Teach STEM: Building a Diverse Teacher STEM Workforce in Mississippi,\" is under the direction of LaShundia Carson. Activities will include workshops and clinics, STEM Education service hours, pre-service teacher bootcamps, scholarships, mentoring and advising, and Scholar recognition. After graduating, the new teachers will participate in new teacher orientation sessions, a teacher renewal institute, professional conferences, and receive new teacher mini-grants. Strong partnerships and collaborative efforts include Hinds Community College - Utica Campus and six local school districts, Natchez-Adams, Claiborne County, Jefferson County, South Delta, Vicksburg-Warren, and Wilkinson County. The program supports talented STEM undergraduate majors and professionals to become effective K-12 mathematics and science teachers in high-need school districts and experienced and exemplary K-12 STEM teachers to become STEM master teachers. It also supports research on the persistence, retention, and effectiveness of K-12 teachers in high-need school districts.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:29:15Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/may-2019-thompson-report", "May 2019 Thompson Report", "2019-05-28", "2019", "2019-05", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.\nSpread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read the newsletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-bennie-thompson-and-mark-green-introduce-legislation-boost-rural", "Reps. Bennie Thompson and Mark Green Introduce Legislation to Boost Rural Hospitals", "2019-05-23", "2019", "2019-05", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Mark Green (R-TN) will introduce a new bipartisan piece of legislation today designed to boost rural hospitals called the Rural Health Care Access Act of 2019.\n\nThe legislation would repeal an arcane rule called \"the 35-mile rule\" that bars hospitals from pursuing a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation. Currently, a rural hospital must be at least 35 miles away from another hospital to receive the CAH designation. If passed into law, this bill would allow states to designate a facility a CAH if it meets all the other requirements. Those requirements include:\n\nThe hospital must have 25 or fewer acute care inpatient beds\n\nMust provide 24/7 emergency care services\n\nThe average length of stay for acute care patients must be 96 hours or less\n\n\"Rural hospitals are an integral part of the rural health care system. We must make sure rural communities have the same access to health care as urban areas,\" said Rep. Bennie Thompson.\n\n\"Folks living outside cities must not be left without health care access. We need to act now to remove old, onerous federal regulations and update our laws so that rural communities get the care they need,\" said Rep. Mark Green.\n\nThe National Rural Health Association has endorsed this bill.\n\n\"Rural hospitals are closing in communities where access to care is needed the most. This important bill will go far in stabilizing the rural hospital closure crisis, by allowing rural hospitals to convert to Critical Access Hospital safety net providers. NRHA applauds Representatives Green and Thompson for fighting to save rural patients' access to care,\" said Alan Morgan, CEO, NRHA.\n\nThe CAH designation reduces the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improves access to healthcare by keeping essential services in rural communities. Specifically, Critical Access Hospitals receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare; flexible staffing and services; access to Flex Program educational resources, technical assistance and/or grants; and the ability to include capital improvement costs in allowable costs for determining Medicare reimbursement.\n\nTennessee has seen more rural hospitals close than any other state in the U.S. except Texas, and more are expected to close if action is not taken soon. Half of Mississippi rural hospitals, too, are at risk of closing soon.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:25:46Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-bennie-thompson-and-mark-green-introduce-legislation-boost-rural-0", "Reps. Bennie Thompson and Mark Green Introduce Legislation to Boost Rural Hospitals", "2019-05-23", "2019", "2019-05", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", null, 0, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-bennie-thompson-and-mark-green-introduce-legislation-boost-rural-hospitals", "Reps. Bennie Thompson and Mark Green Introduce Legislation to Boost Rural Hospitals", "2019-05-23", "2019", "2019-05", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Reps. Bennie Thompson and Mark Green IntroduceLegislation to Boost Rural Hospitals\n\nWASHINGTON  Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Mark Green (R-TN) will introducea new bipartisan piece of legislation today designed to boost rural hospitals called the Rural Health Care Access Act of 2019.\n\nThe legislation would repeal an arcane rule called the 35-mile rule that bars hospitals from pursuing a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation. Currently, a rural hospital must be at least 35 miles away fromanother hospital to receive the CAH designation. If passed into law, this bill would allow states to designate a facility a CAH if it meets all the other requirements. Those requirements include:\nThe hospital must have 25 or fewer acute care inpatient beds\nMust provide 24/7 emergency care services\nThe average length of stay for acute care patients must be 96 hours or less\n\nRural hospitals are an integral part of the rural health care system. We must make sure rural communities have the same access to health care as urban areas, said Rep. Bennie Thompson.\n\nFolks living outside cities must not be left without health care access. We need to act now to remove old, onerous federal regulations and update our laws so that rural communities get the care they need,said Rep. Mark Green.\n\nThe National Rural Health Association has endorsed this bill.\n\nRural hospitals are closing in communities where access to care is needed the most. This important bill will go far in stabilizing the rural hospital closure crisis, by allowing rural hospitals to convert to Critical Access Hospital safety net providers. NRHA applauds Representatives Green and Thompson for fighting to save rural patients' access to care,\"said Alan Morgan, CEO, NRHA.\n\nThe CAH designation reduces the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improves access to healthcare by keeping essential services in rural communities. Specifically, Critical Access Hospitals receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare; flexible staffing and services; access to Flex Program educational resources, technical assistance and/or grants; and the ability to include capital improvement costs in allowable costs for determining Medicare reimbursement.\n\nTennessee has seen more rural hospitals close than any other state in the U.S. except Texas, and more are expected to close if action is not taken soon. Half of Mississippi rural hospitals, too, are at risk of closing soon.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-votes-strengthening-health-care-and-lowering-prescription", "Congressman Thompson Votes on Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act", "2019-05-17", "2019", "2019-05", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson Votes on Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act\n\nRep. Thompson voted to pass H.R 987, the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act, a major piece of legislation that addresses two top concerns of the American people \u2013 lowering prescription drug prices and defending vital protections for people with pre-existing conditions. This bill is a critical component of the For The People agenda.\n\nThis bipartisan omnibus bill includes three bills to lower prescription drug costs by helping lower-priced generic drugs get to market faster and four measures to reinforce the protections for people with pre-existing conditions and expand enrollment in quality, affordable coverage to more Americans. This bipartisan package invests most of the savings created by the bills promoting generic competition into strengthening our health care system by increasing enrollment in quality coverage and helping interested states set up their own state-based marketplaces, which outperform the Federal marketplace.\n\nGetting more lower-priced generic drugs into the prescription drug market is a key way to create billions of dollars in cost savings for consumers and taxpayers. For example, in 2017 alone, the entry of generic drugs into the market saved consumers and taxpayers a total of $265 billion. According to one estimate, the average drug price decreases by 50 percent in the first year of generic entry, with an 80 percent reduction in five years.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:25:46Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/2019-april-thompson-report", "2019 April Thompson Report", "2019-04-26", "2019", "2019-04", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents. \nClick here to read full newsletter.\nThank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/march-2019-thompson-report", "March 2019 Thompson Report", "2019-03-20", "2019", "2019-03", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. Click here to read newletter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-s-statement-mississippi-s-storm-damage", "Congressman Thompsons Statement on Mississippis Storm Damage", "2019-02-27", "2019", "2019-02", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Thompson's Statement on Mississippi's Storm Damage \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWASHINGTON  U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson released the following statement on Mississippi's Storm Damage:\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tWe can never be prepared enough for these types of extreme weather conditions. This storm claimed the life of an individual in Columbus, Miss., and I send my deepest condolences to that family.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tAt least 18 counties in my district were impacted by this storm, including the loss of homes as well as severe damage. Part of my duty as the representative of the second congressional district of Mississippi, is to ensure the safety and security of the constituency in which I represent.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tI plan to do everything in my power as Congressman to help to alleviate the aftermath of the storm this past weekend. With that being said I encourage you to report storm damage to your local emergency manager.\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tYou can the contact information for your local emergency manager here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompsons-statement-mississippis-storm-damage", "Congressman Thompson\u2019s Statement on Mississippi\u2019s Storm Damage", "2019-02-27", "2019", "2019-02", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson released the following statement on Mississippi's Storm Damage:\n\n\"We can never be prepared enough for these types of extreme weather conditions. This storm claimed the life of an individual in Columbus, Miss., and I send my deepest condolences to that family.\n\nAt least 18 counties in my district were impacted by this storm, including the loss of homes as well as severe damage. Part of my duty as the representative of the second congressional district of Mississippi, is to ensure the safety and security of the constituency in which I represent.\n\nI plan to do everything in my power as Congressman to help to alleviate the aftermath of the storm this past weekend. With that being said I encourage you to report storm damage to your local emergency manager.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:17:04Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thompson-statement-passing-national-resources-management-act", "Thompson Statement on Passing of the National Resources Management Act", "2019-02-27", "2019", "2019-02", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson released the following statement on passing of the National Resources Management Act\n\n\"This legislation is the largest public lands bill approved by Congress in more than a decade. The House passed the bill Tuesday February 25,2019, 363-62, sending it to the White House for the President's signature. The bill creates three new national monuments to be administered by the National Park Service and two others overseen by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, respectively. The new monuments are the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument in Mississippi; the Mill Springs and Camp Nelson national monuments in Kentucky; the former Saint Francis Dam site in Southern California; and the Jurassic National Monument in Utah.\"\n\n\"The importance of protecting the heritage and important artifacts for the enjoyment of all, and historical understanding, cannot be overstated. As many members of communities, their existence contributes to local economies directly and indirectly. I am honored that the legacy of an icon in American history, Medgar Wiley Evers will forever be preserved. Mr. Evers was an inspiration to all Americans by dedicating his life to others and fighting against racism and discrimination. As he said, \u2018Freedom has never been free.'\"\n\nContact: Ty James 202-225-5876", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:17:04Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/speeches/thompson-report-february-2019-edition", "Thompson Report February 2019 Edition", "2019-01-31", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.\nClick here toreadnewsletter.\nThank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-announces-homeland-security-committee-democratic-members", "Chairman Thompson Announces Homeland Security Committee Democratic Members", "2019-01-23", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 23, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement announcing the 18 Democratic Members of the Committee for the 116th Congress:\n\n\"I'm thrilled to welcome \u2013 and welcome back \u2013 so many fine Members of Congress to our Committee. This diverse panel represents the many different communities of the country, bringing a crucial variety of viewpoints to the issues of homeland security that affect each and every American.\"\n\n\"I have full confidence the Committee is ready and able to tackle some of the toughest issues facing our country today \u2013 such as securing our borders using common-sense and effective methods, protecting our networks and critical infrastructure, countering terrorism and extremism of all forms, and ensuring our skies and seas are safe for travel and commerce. Most importantly, this Committee is ready to do the necessary work of conducting oversight of the Trump Administration \u2013 and we will hold it to account.\"\n\nHouse Committee on Homeland Security Democratic Members:\n\nCongressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Chairman\n\nCongresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)\n\nCongressman Jim Langevin (RI-02)\n\nCongressman Cedric L. Richmond (LA-02)\n\nCongressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10)\n\nCongresswoman Kathleen Rice (NY-04)\n\nCongressman Lou Correa (CA-46)\n\nCongresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)\n\nCongressman Max Rose (NY-11)\n\nCongresswoman Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02)\n\nCongresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-08)\n\nCongressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05)\n\nCongressman Al Green (TX-09)\n\nCongresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09)\n\nCongresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01)\n\nCongresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)\n\nCongresswoman Nanette Diaz Barrag\u00e1n (CA-44)\n\nCongresswoman Val Demings (FL-10)\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-president-trump-s-border-and-shutdown-speech", "Chairman Thompson on President Trumps Border and Shutdown Speech", "2019-01-19", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chairman Thompson on President Trump's Border and Shutdown Speech\nJanuary 19, 2019 (WASHINGTON)  Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump's Saturday afternoon speech today:\n\nThe President's speech today was just the latest publicity stunt out of many to come from the White House. He did not move the needle one inch. The President must realize Congress is a coequal branch of government and Democrats will not allow him to dictate the terms of any negotiation while he continues to use people's lives as bargaining chips.\n\nPresident Trump tries to blame everyone and everything for his shutdown and the situation on the border, but he has no one to blame but himself. To be clear, there is bipartisan agreement that there is no security crisis at the border. It's time he end this childish temper tantrum and reopen the government.\n\nFor almost a month now, 800,000 workers have had their paychecks on hold and almost all of the frontline workers at the Department of Homeland Security are working without pay. Let's reopen the government and pay our workers so we can negotiate in good faith.\n\n# # #\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-president-trumps-border-and-shutdown-speech", "Chairman Thompson on President Trump\u2019s Border and Shutdown Speech", "2019-01-19", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 19, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump's Saturday afternoon speech today:\n\n\"The President's speech today was just the latest publicity stunt out of many to come from the White House. He did not move the needle one inch. The President must realize Congress is a coequal branch of government and Democrats will not allow him to dictate the terms of any negotiation while he continues to use people's lives as bargaining chips.\"\n\n\"President Trump tries to blame everyone and everything for his shutdown and the situation on the border, but he has no one to blame but himself. To be clear, there is bipartisan agreement that there is no security crisis at the border. It's time he end this childish temper tantrum and reopen the government.\"\n\n\"For almost a month now, 800,000 workers have had their paychecks on hold and almost all of the frontline workers at the Department of Homeland Security are working without pay. Let's reopen the government and pay our workers so we can negotiate in good faith.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-chairmen-condemn-shocking-secret-memo-trump-administration-s-inhumane", "House Chairmen Condemn Shocking Secret Memo on Trump Administrations Inhumane Child Separation Policy", "2019-01-19", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Chairmen Condemn Shocking\nSecret Memo on Trump Administration's\nInhumane Child Separation Policy\n\nWashington, D.C. (Jan. 19, 2019)Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement in response to a draft December 2017 memorandum released yesterday by Senator Jeff Merkley, which was created by senior officials at the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice outlining the Trump Administration's child separation policy:\n\nThis new document is horrific. It is proof that the Trump Administration secretly hatched a plan to separate thousands of vulnerable children from their parents and place them in federal custody in order to deter those seeking refuge in the United States. This revelation raises grave questions about the veracity of Secretary Nielsen's sworn testimony to Congress and her statements to the American people from the White House denying the existence of this immoral policy. Secretary Nielsen must appear before Congress to answer for this cruel and heartless policyand her inaccurate statements to Congress and the American people. We also need to hear from the agencies responsible for formulating and carrying out the child separation policy, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health and Human Services.\n\nOn June 18, 2018, Secretary Nielsen was asked at the White House: Are you intending for parents to be separated from their children? Are you intending to send a message? She replied: I find that offensive.  No. Because why would I ever create a policy that purposely does that? When the reported asked if the policy was put in place as a deterrent, Secretary Nielsen again responded: No.\n\nA day earlier, on June 17, 2018, Secretary Nielsen tweeted: We do not have a policy of separating families at the border. Period.\n\nOn May 15, 2018, Secretary Nielsen stated in sworn testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: We do not have a policy to separate children from their parents.\n\n# # #\nContacts\nAryele Bradford (Oversight)  202-226-5181\nDaniel Schwarz (Judiciary)  202-225-5635\nShadawn Reddick-Smith (Judiciary)  202-225-6906\nAdam Comis (Homeland Security)  202-225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-chairmen-condemn-shocking-secret-memo-trump-administrations-inhumane", "House Chairmen Condemn Shocking Secret Memo on Trump Administration\u2019s Inhumane Child Separation Policy", "2019-01-19", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "House Chairmen Condemn Shocking\n\nSecret Memo on Trump Administration's\n\nInhumane Child Separation Policy\n\nWashington, D.C. (Jan. 19, 2019)\u2014Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, the Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, and Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, issued the following statement in response to a draft December 2017 memorandum released yesterday by Senator Jeff Merkley, which was created by senior officials at the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice outlining the Trump Administration's child separation policy:\n\n\"This new document is horrific. It is proof that the Trump Administration secretly hatched a plan to separate thousands of vulnerable children from their parents and place them in federal custody in order to deter those seeking refuge in the United States. This revelation raises grave questions about the veracity of Secretary Nielsen's sworn testimony to Congress and her statements to the American people from the White House denying the existence of this immoral policy. Secretary Nielsen must appear before Congress to answer for this cruel and heartless policy\u2014and her inaccurate statements to Congress and the American people. We also need to hear from the agencies responsible for formulating and carrying out the child separation policy, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Health and Human Services.\"\n\nOn June 18, 2018, Secretary Nielsen was asked at the White House: \"Are you intending for parents to be separated from their children? Are you intending to send a message?\" She replied: \"I find that offensive. \u2026 No. Because why would I ever create a policy that purposely does that?\" When the reported asked if the policy was put in place as a deterrent, Secretary Nielsen again responded: \"No.\"\n\nA day earlier, on June 17, 2018, Secretary Nielsen tweeted: \"We do not have a policy of separating families at the border. Period.\"\n\nOn May 15, 2018, Secretary Nielsen stated in sworn testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: \"We do not have a policy to separate children from their parents.\"\n\n# # #\n\nContacts\n\nAryele Bradford (Oversight) \u2013 202-226-5181\n\nDaniel Schwarz (Judiciary) \u2013 202-225-5635\n\nShadawn Reddick-Smith (Judiciary) \u2013 202-225-6906\n\nAdam Comis (Homeland Security) \u2013 202-225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-statement-hhs-oig-report-family-separation", "Chairman Thompson Statement on HHS OIG Report on Family Separation", "2019-01-17", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 17, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on family separations at the southern border:\n\n\"The OIG report released today shows that the Trump Administration, with its unique blend of incompetence, cruelty, and disregard for basic decency, misled the American public on one of its most heinous policies to date. Thousands more children were separated from their families than we were previously told \u2013 and we still don't even know exactly how many kids have been ripped from their families because the Administration has failed to keep track.\n\n\"The dangerous era of this Administration going unchecked has come to an end. We will not allow these reprehensible acts to go unanswered, and we will ensure that the President and his Administration are held accountable for their misdeeds.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/2019-january-thompson-report", "2019 January Thompson Report", "2019-01-14", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Welcome...\nTo The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.\nClick here to read full version of the newsletter.\nThank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-trump-shutdown-blame-airport-lines", "Chairman Thompson: Trump Shutdown to Blame for Airport Lines", "2019-01-14", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 14, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports of airport delays and terminal closures across the country:\n\n\"Delays at airports across the country today because of TSA staffing issues are a direct result of the Trump Shutdown. Because of President Trump's childish refusal to reopen the government unless he gets his way, over 50,000 TSA Transportation Security Officers are forced to work without pay with no end in sight. Now, many are understandably looking for other work to make ends meet. TSOs are already among the least paid federal workers.\"\n\n\"Not only will continuing the shutdown increase airport delays and hinder commerce, it could have a negative impact on aviation security if a resolution does not come quickly. I hope President Trump realizes that being responsible for the longest government shutdown in history is no badge of honor - it will have untold negative consequences for months to come. Until he realizes his error, the American people should put the blame squarely on his shoulders.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bennie-thompson-s-statement-medgar-evers-bill", "Congressman Bennie Thompsons Statement on Medgar Evers Bill", "2019-01-14", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bennie Thompson's Statement on Medgar Evers Bill\n\nWASHINGTONU.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson released the following statement on reintroducingthe Medgar Evers Home National Monument Act:\n\nI am honored, in my capacity as Congressman of the Second Congressional District of Mississippi, to author this legislation to honor the sacrifice of Civil Rights Icon Medgar Evers and his widow, Myrlie, by designating their home as a National Monument. This legislation is of great personal importance to me, Thompson said. I, like many others, was inspired by the magnitude of determination Mr. Evers showed by dedicating himself to others and fighting against adversity. The designation of his home is an everlasting tribute to his legacy.\n\nDue to bipartisan efforts last Congress, this legislation passed through the Committee on Natural Resources and ultimately passed the House by unanimous consent. I am re-introducing this legislation, and I look forward to the Senate passing the same legislation so that we can finally get this done. I am asking that we make this happen and honor the legacy of an icon in American history, Medgar Wiley Evers.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bennie-thompsons-statement-medgar-evers-bill", "Congressman Bennie Thompson\u2019s Statement on Medgar Evers Bill", "2019-01-14", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Representative Bennie G. Thompson released the following statement on reintroducing the Medgar Evers Home National Monument Act:\n\n\"I am honored, in my capacity as Congressman of the Second Congressional District of Mississippi, to author this legislation to honor the sacrifice of Civil Rights Icon Medgar Evers and his widow, Myrlie, by designating their home as a National Monument. This legislation is of great personal importance to me,\" Thompson said. \"I, like many others, was inspired by the magnitude of determination Mr. Evers showed by dedicating himself to others and fighting against adversity. The designation of his home is an everlasting tribute to his legacy.\"\n\nDue to bipartisan efforts last Congress, this legislation passed through the Committee on Natural Resources and ultimately passed the House by unanimous consent. \"I am re-introducing this legislation, and I look forward to the Senate passing the same legislation so that we can finally get this done. I am asking that we make this happen and honor the legacy of an icon in American history, Medgar Wiley Evers.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-administration-must-disavow-reports-trump-wants-raid", "Chairman Thompson: Administration Must Disavow Reports Trump Wants to Raid Disaster Recovery Funds to Pay for Wall", "2019-01-10", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 3, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports that President Trump would like to use disaster recovery and emergency relief funds to pay for his border wall:\n\n\"I call on the President and Homeland Security Secretary to immediately disavow news reports that President Trump plans to raid disaster recovery funds to pay for his absurd border wall. Any suggestion that he use these funds to construct his wall is an obscenity. These funds were intended by Congress to be used for real emergencies and to help millions recover from hurricanes and other disasters. Under no circumstance are these funds to be used to fund the President pet project so he can claim a win. There is no emergency on the border. If necessary, my colleagues and I will use every available method to stop him in this effort.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-administration-must-disavow-reports-trump-wants-raid-disaster", "Chairman Thompson: Administration Must Disavow Reports Trump Wants to Raid Disaster Recovery Funds to Pay for Wall", "2019-01-10", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nChairman Thompson: Administration Must Disavow Reports Trump Wants to Raid Disaster Recovery Funds to Pay for Wall\nJanuary 3, 2019 (WASHINGTON)  Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news reports that President Trump would like to use disaster recovery and emergency relief funds to pay for his border wall:\n\nI call on the President and Homeland Security Secretary to immediately disavow news reports that President Trump plans to raid disaster recovery funds to pay for his absurd border wall. Any suggestion that he use these funds to construct his wall is an obscenity. These funds were intended by Congress to be used for real emergencies and to help millions recover from hurricanes and other disasters. Under no circumstance are these funds to be used to fund the President pet project so he can claim a win. There is no emergency on the border. If necessary, my colleagues and I will use every available method to stop him in this effort.\n\n# # #\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-first-missed-paycheck-tomorrow-dhs-and-other-federal", "Chairman Thompson on First Missed Paycheck Tomorrow for DHS and Other Federal Employees", "2019-01-10", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 10, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Trump shutdown and 800,000 federal employees who will be missing their first paycheck tomorrow:\n\n\"Tomorrow, nearly a million federal employees will miss their first paycheck of the year because the President has decided to throw a temper tantrum and hold the federal government hostage over his ridiculous demand for an ineffective, wasteful border wall. Over 200,000 employees at DHS \u2013 charged with protecting our skies, waterways, and borders \u2013 will also not be paid while still working.\"\n\n\"Because of the President's childish behavior, families will face difficulties paying rent, keeping the lights on, and putting food on the dinner table. He should not be treating them like pawns in his pathetic pursuit to fulfill an absurd campaign promise. Simply put, he is ignoring his oath of office by forcing the government to stay closed while refusing to work with Democrats. This absurd charade has gone on for far too long \u2013 it's time for the President to end this needless shutdown.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/gao-report-august-trump-s-wall-set-waste-billions-provide-no-measurable-benefit", "GAO REPORT FROM AUGUST: Trump\u2019s Wall Set to Waste Billions, Provide No Measurable Benefit", "2019-01-10", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GAO REPORT FROM AUGUST: Trump's Wall Set to Waste Billions, Provide No Measurable Benefit\nJanuary 10, 2019 (WASHINGTON)  Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security has re-released a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report from this summer on President Trump's completely unnecessary and wasteful border wall.\n\nIn the report entitled, Southwest Border Security: CBP Is Evaluating Designs and Locations for Border Barriers but Is Proceeding Without Key Information, the GAO found that CBP selected locations for new construction before assessing which areas along the southern border should be prioritized and without full cost estimates.GAO also found that CBP continues to move construction projects forward while still not having metrics in place to gauge effectiveness. In this rush, GAO argues that DHS may end up paying way more than anticipated, potentially wasting billions without anything to show for it. CBP also did not follow required DHS planning and acquisition protocols. It is clear the President and the Administration did not read the report.\n\nWith the federal government and nearly a million of its employees being held hostage over the President's demand to squander billions over his wall, a review of this independent government report is demanded.\n\nChairman Thompson released the following statement on the report:\n\n\"This report exposes the President's wall for what it is  nothing more than an expensive vanity project. It is clear he is fixated on campaign promises no matter the cost or consequences. Now he is contemplating falsely declaring a national emergency to rush the construction of his completely unnecessary wall. Whether steel or concrete, there is nothing special about his wall and it will not secure our borders.\n\nIn moving too fast, the Administration has ignored necessary and established acquisitions protocols and plan to build a multi-billion dollar border wall where their own analysis shows it is not a priority. To be blunt, this Administration has no clue what it is doing and must be held accountable. Since DHS picked locations for the President's wall before taking into account effectiveness or cost, any more spending on Trump's wall would be a giant waste of taxpayer money and may not provide any measurable security benefit. At this point, spending billions on the President's wall is just a gift to contractors and the President's political base. While we may surmise that politics played a role in how the Administration decided where to build the President's wall, we now know for certain that effectiveness and considering the full range of costs were not part of the decision-making process.\"\n\n\"I urge my colleagues to read this report before allowing another dime be spent on the President's boondoggle. Democrats have and continue to support proven border security solutions, but we will not sit idly by while billions of American taxpayer dollars to be thrown down the toilet.\"\n\n# # #\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/gao-report-august-trumps-wall-set-waste-billions-provide-no-measurable-benefit", "GAO REPORT FROM AUGUST: Trump\u2019s Wall Set to Waste Billions, Provide No Measurable Benefit", "2019-01-10", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 10, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security has re-released a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report from this summer on President Trump's completely unnecessary and wasteful border wall.\n\nIn the report entitled, \"Southwest Border Security: CBP Is Evaluating Designs and Locations for Border Barriers but Is Proceeding Without Key Information,\" the GAO found that CBP selected locations for new construction before assessing which areas along the southern border should be prioritized and without full cost estimates. GAO also found that CBP continues to move construction projects forward while still not having metrics in place to gauge effectiveness. In this rush, GAO argues that DHS may end up paying way more than anticipated, potentially wasting billions without anything to show for it. CBP also did not follow required DHS planning and acquisition protocols. It is clear the President and the Administration did not read the report.\n\nWith the federal government and nearly a million of its employees being held hostage over the President's demand to squander billions over his wall, a review of this independent government report is demanded.\n\nChairman Thompson released the following statement on the report:\n\n\"This report exposes the President's wall for what it is \u2013 nothing more than an expensive vanity project. It is clear he is fixated on campaign promises no matter the cost or consequences. Now he is contemplating falsely declaring a national emergency to rush the construction of his completely unnecessary wall. Whether steel or concrete, there is nothing special about his wall and it will not secure our borders.\"\n\n\"In moving too fast, the Administration has ignored necessary and established acquisitions protocols and plan to build a multi-billion dollar border wall where their own analysis shows it is not a priority. To be blunt, this Administration has no clue what it is doing and must be held accountable. Since DHS picked locations for the President's wall before taking into account effectiveness or cost, any more spending on Trump's wall would be a giant waste of taxpayer money and may not provide any measurable security benefit. At this point, spending billions on the President's wall is just a gift to contractors and the President's political base. While we may surmise that politics played a role in how the Administration decided where to build the President's wall, we now know for certain that effectiveness and considering the full range of costs were not part of the decision-making process.\"\n\n\"I urge my colleagues to read this report before allowing another dime be spent on the President's boondoggle. Democrats have and continue to support proven border security solutions, but we will not sit idly by while billions of American taxpayer dollars to be thrown down the toilet.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/in-the-news/house-chairs-demand-answers-sanctions-relief-russian-oligarch", "HOUSE CHAIRS DEMAND ANSWERS ON SANCTIONS RELIEF FOR RUSSIAN OLIGARCH", "2019-01-08", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "HOUSE CHAIRS DEMAND ANSWERS ON SANCTIONS RELIEF FOR RUSSIAN OLIGARCH\n\nLawmakers Call on Mnuchin to Delay Action Pending Congressional Briefing\n\nWashingtonThe chairs of seven committees in the House of Representatives today are calling on the Trump Administration to explain the easing of sanctions on businesses tied to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. In response to a December 19, 2018 notification that the Treasury Department intends to terminate sanctions against three companies tied to Deripaska, the lawmakers wrote Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin requesting a briefing for Members of Congress and a postponement of the sanctions termination until Members' questions are resolved.\n\nThe letter was signed by Chairman Richard E. Neal of the House Committee on Ways and Means; Chairwoman Maxine Waters of the Committee on Financial Services; Chairman Eliot L. Engel of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Chairman Adam B. Schiff of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Chairman Elijah E. Cummings of the Committee on Oversight and Reform; Chairman Jerrold Nadler of the Committee on the Judiciary; and Chairman Bennie G. Thompson of the Committee on Homeland Security.\n\nThe notification to Congress was delivered just prior to an adjournment for an extended recess and during which time a government shutdown ensued, which makes it difficult to complete our review of this matter within the 30-day period provided in CAATSA, wrote the Members. We request that you be available for a meeting with all interested Members, in an appropriate setting to allow for a full discussion of all aspects of the agreement, the sanctions termination and the impact these decisions would have on the U.S. effort to end Russia's malign activities aimed at our country.\n\nFull text of the letter follows and can be found here.\n\nDear Secretary Mnuchin:\n\nWe write in response to a December 19th notification to Congress indicating that the Treasury Department intends to terminate sanctions on Rusal, EN+ and EuroSibEnergo, as part of a deal with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch who has abetted the Putin Regime's malign activity against the United States.\n\nAs the Chairs of committees with oversight jurisdiction over the U.S. response to Russia's attempts to interfere in our elections and other hostile actions, we have a number of concerns about the agreement that the U.S. has reached with Mr. Deripaska.\n\nThe Terms of Removal focus on restructuring Mr. Deripaska's relationship with EN+, Rusal, and ESE, the altered governance structure of EN+ and Rusal, and enhanced reporting requirements. However, the agreement appears to keep intact significant ownership of EN+ by Mr. Deripaska, while reportedly transferring some shares and financial interests to the Kremlin-linked sanctioned Russian bank VTB.\n\nThere are a number of additional questions that we and other Members of Congress must pursue in order to fully assess whether the U.S. agreement and the sanctions terminations are justified.\n\nWe also note that the notification to Congress was delivered just prior to an adjournment for an extended recess and during which time a government shutdown ensued, which makes it difficult to complete our review of this matter within the 30-day period provided in CAATSA.\n\nWe request that you be available for a meeting with all interested Members, in an appropriate setting to allow for a full discussion of all aspects of the agreement, the sanctions termination, and the impact that these decisions would have on the U.S. effort to end Russia's malign activities aimed at our country.\n\nFurther, we request that the Treasury Department delay the implementation of the sanctions termination to allow sufficient time for you to fully brief Members on this matter and to resolve the pending questions. We would appreciate fulfillment of this request by no later than the close of business on Friday, January 11, 2019. \n\nSincerely,\n\nRichard E. Neal\nChairman\nWays and Means Committee\n\nMaxine Waters\nChairwoman\nFinancial Services Committee\n\nEliot Engel \nChairman\nForeign Affairs Committee\n\nAdam B. Schiff\nChairman\nPermanent Select Committee\non Intelligence\n\nElijah E. Cummings\nChairman\nCommittee on Oversight and Reform\n\nJerrold Nadler\nChairman\nCommittee on the Judiciary\n\nBennie G. Thompson\nChairman\nCommittee on Homeland Security\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-sowing-fear-trump-lies-directly-american-people", "Chairman Thompson: Sowing Fear, Trump Lies Directly to American People", "2019-01-08", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 8, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump's primetime address on border security and immigration:\n\n\"As predicted, the President's address tonight was nothing more than the fearmongering and lies we have come to expect from him. Besides what the President's own terrible policies have created, there is simply NO emergency at the border. A wall is not the solution to the crime and tragedy he describes. A wall will not stop the flow of illegal drugs he talks about, which overwhelmingly come through legal ports of entry. A wall is ineffective and a waste of taxpayer dollars.\"\n\n\"I see no indication tonight that the President is willing to negotiate in good faith. It is time he realizes the harm caused by his needless shutdown and works with Democrats to reopen the government.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-chairs-demand-answers-sanctions-relief-russian-oligarch", "HOUSE CHAIRS DEMAND ANSWERS ON SANCTIONS RELIEF FOR RUSSIAN OLIGARCH", "2019-01-08", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contacts:\n\nJanuary 8, 2019 Erin Hatch (Ways & Means) 202-225-4021\n\nEric Hersey (Financial Services) 202-225-4247\n\nTim Mulvey (Foreign Affairs) 202-226-9103\n\nPatrick Boland (HPSCI) 202-225-4176\n\nAryele Bradford (Oversight) 202-226-5181\n\nDaniel Schwarz (Judiciary) 202-225-5635\n\nAdam Comis (Homeland Security) 202-225-9978\n\nHOUSE CHAIRS DEMAND ANSWERS ON SANCTIONS RELIEF FOR RUSSIAN OLIGARCH\n\nLawmakers Call on Mnuchin to Delay Action Pending Congressional Briefing\n\nWashington\u2014The chairs of seven committees in the House of Representatives today are calling on the Trump Administration to explain the easing of sanctions on businesses tied to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. In response to a December 19, 2018 notification that the Treasury Department intends to terminate sanctions against three companies tied to Deripaska, the lawmakers wrote Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin requesting a briefing for Members of Congress and a postponement of the sanctions termination until Members' questions are resolved.\n\nThe letter was signed by Chairman Richard E. Neal of the House Committee on Ways and Means; Chairwoman Maxine Waters of the Committee on Financial Services; Chairman Eliot L. Engel of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Chairman Adam B. Schiff of the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Chairman Elijah E. Cummings of the Committee on Oversight and Reform; Chairman Jerrold Nadler of the Committee on the Judiciary; and Chairman Bennie G. Thompson of the Committee on Homeland Security.\n\n\"The notification to Congress was delivered just prior to an adjournment for an extended recess and during which time a government shutdown ensued, which makes it difficult to complete our review of this matter within the 30-day period provided in CAATSA,\" wrote the Members. \"We request that you be available for a meeting with all interested Members, in an appropriate setting to allow for a full discussion of all aspects of the agreement, the sanctions termination and the impact these decisions would have on the U.S. effort to end Russia's malign activities aimed at our country.\"\n\nFull text of the letter follows and can be found here.\n\nDear Secretary Mnuchin:\n\nWe write in response to a December 19th notification to Congress indicating that the Treasury Department intends to terminate sanctions on Rusal, EN+ and EuroSibEnergo, as part of a deal with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch who has abetted the Putin Regime's malign activity against the United States.\n\nAs the Chairs of committees with oversight jurisdiction over the U.S. response to Russia's attempts to interfere in our elections and other hostile actions, we have a number of concerns about the agreement that the U.S. has reached with Mr. Deripaska.\n\nThe Terms of Removal focus on restructuring Mr. Deripaska's relationship with EN+, Rusal, and ESE, the altered governance structure of EN+ and Rusal, and enhanced reporting requirements. However, the agreement appears to keep intact significant ownership of EN+ by Mr. Deripaska, while reportedly transferring some shares and financial interests to the Kremlin-linked sanctioned Russian bank VTB.\n\nThere are a number of additional questions that we and other Members of Congress must pursue in order to fully assess whether the U.S. agreement and the sanctions terminations are justified.\n\nWe also note that the notification to Congress was delivered just prior to an adjournment for an extended recess and during which time a government shutdown ensued, which makes it difficult to complete our review of this matter within the 30-day period provided in CAATSA.\n\nWe request that you be available for a meeting with all interested Members, in an appropriate setting to allow for a full discussion of all aspects of the agreement, the sanctions termination, and the impact that these decisions would have on the U.S. effort to end Russia's malign activities aimed at our country.\n\nFurther, we request that the Treasury Department delay the implementation of the sanctions termination to allow sufficient time for you to fully brief Members on this matter and to resolve the pending questions. We would appreciate fulfillment of this request by no later than the close of business on Friday,January 11, 2019.\n\nSincerely,\n\nRichard E. Neal\n\nChairman\n\nWays and Means Committee\n\nMaxine Waters\n\nChairwoman\n\nFinancial Services Committee\n\nEliot Engel\n\nChairman\n\nForeign Affairs Committee\n\nAdam B. Schiff\n\nChairman\n\nPermanent Select Committee\n\non Intelligence\n\nElijah E. Cummings\n\nChairman\n\nCommittee on Oversight and Reform\n\nJerrold Nadler\n\nChairman\n\nCommittee on the Judiciary\n\nBennie G. Thompson\n\nChairman\n\nCommittee on Homeland Security\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-extension-chemical-facility-anti-terrorism-program", "House Passes Extension of Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Program", "2019-01-08", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 8, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on House passage of H.R. 251, the \"Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Extension Act.\"\n\nThis bipartisan legislation is a two-year extension of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards, or CFATS program. Under CFATS, DHS works with the owners and operators of our nation's highest risk chemical facilities to ensure those facilities have adequate security measures in place. The program is set to expire next week. Despite broad support from Republicans, Democrats, and industry alike \u2013 CFATS is at risk of lapsing and the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee has suggested letting it expire. In a letter last fall, the Secretary of Homeland urged Congress to pass a short-term authorization to prevent \"increase[ed] risk to the country\"\n\n\"It is critically important that we ensure our nation's chemical facilities are kept safe from terrorist threats,\" Chairman Thompson said. \"CFATS has made the U.S. demonstrably safer. Since the program was created, the number of chemical facilities in our country designated as \u2018high risk' has dropped by half.\"\n\n\"I strongly urge Senator Johnson and his colleagues in the Senate to follow the bipartisan path we've set in the House and pass this legislation. Extending CFATS will giving us time to work together improve the program while still keeping Americans safe. We cannot allow this critical national security program to expire and make all Americans more vulnerable because of petty partisan politics.\"\n\nFull floor statement\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/ten-questions-dhs-trump-shutdown", "Ten Questions for DHS on the Trump Shutdown", "2019-01-08", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 8, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following list of unanswered questions regarding the functioning of the Department of Homeland Security as a result of a lapse in appropriations. The Administration has failed to be forthcoming about the security implications of the President's shutdown on DHS, the largest federal department subject to the shutdown.\n\nDuring the shutdown, is TSA continuing its vital work to assess security at foreign airports\u2014where, unlike the southern border, terrorists attempted to launch attacks?\n\nWhat, if any, protections are in place to ensure that, during the shutdown, TSA continues to carry out its vital security function in the face of terrorist attack, inadequate staffing levels, or some other significant security issue?\n\nWhat impact is the shutdown having on TSA's ability to follow through on planned purchasing of improved airport screening machines?\n\nAre CBP and ICE still able to fully vet and screen passengers traveling to the United States during the shutdown?\n\nAre CBP and ICE programs to communicate with international partners to ensure that foreign travelers and visa applicants are thoroughly vetted fully operational during the lapse in funding?\n\nIs the Coast Guard falling behind on efforts to ensure its aging vessels are replaced to ensure our waterways and sea borders are effectively protected?\n\nWhat impact has the shutdown had on FEMA's ability to plan for continual extreme weather after record devastation in 2017 and 2018?\n\nIs the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office able to share bioterrorism and nuclear threat information with state and local officials?\n\nIs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) still inspecting high-risk chemical facilities urging the shutdown?\n\nIs CISA able to perform cybersecurity risk and vulnerability assessments for the Federal government, critical infrastructure owners and operators, and state election agencies?\n\nChairman Thompson released the following statement on the state of the shutdown:\n\n\"Trump's needless shutdown could soon become the longest shutdown in our nation's history, with consequences still unknown. Almost three weeks into this calculated crisis and we still do not know what DHS is doing to ensure the safety and security of the American people while it is operating without funds. With each passing day, the effective functioning of key homeland security operations are imperiled. The President must put the country first and put his ego aside. It's time he reopen the government.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-inquires-shutdown-effects-tsa", "Chairman Thompson Inquires on Shutdown Effects on TSA", "2019-01-07", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 7, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to request more information on the security and workforce effects the government shutdown is having on the agency:\n\nLetter excerpt:\n\nOn Friday, CNN reported that hundreds of TSA officers from at least four major airports called out from work last week. As you are aware, TSA officers are required to work without pay during the shutdown. Despite providing essential government services, TSA officers are among the lowest paid Federal employees, with many living paycheck-to-paycheck. Officers may not be able to pay for rent, child care, and other necessities if their paychecks do not arrive on time.\n\nThe fact that the overwhelming majority of officers have reported for duty without fail in the face of such challenges is a testament to their dedication to service. Still, it is only reasonable to expect officer call outs and resignations to increase the longer the shutdown lasts, since no employee can be expected to work indefinitely without pay.\n\nI appreciate TSA's statement that \"security effectiveness will not be compromised and performance standards will not change\" due to staffing shortages. However, I am concerned if wait times and public pressure increase, some TSA managers may try to manage the effects of the shutdown in ways that are detrimental to security. The security of aviation passengers must always be paramount.\n\nLink to letter\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-calls-secretary-nielsen-come-homeland-security-committee", "Chairman Thompson Calls on Secretary Nielsen to Come Before the Homeland Security Committee to Answer for the Administration\u2019s Border Security Policies", "2019-01-04", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 4, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen requesting her to testify before the Committee for its first hearing of the new Congress on the Administration's failed border security agenda. Secretary Nielsen has only appeared before the Committee once.\n\nIn the letter, Chairman Thompson wrote:\n\nYour border security presentation submitted to Congress today is yet another example of the misinformation and outright lies the Trump Administration has used to make the case for the President's boondoggle border wall, defend the government shutdown, and distract the American people from a border policy so flawed that children have died in Department of Homeland Security custody. Squandering American taxpayer money on a wall may satisfy a segment of the President's political supporters, but it will not solve the real border security challenges facing our Nation.\n\nFull letter text\n\nIn the letter, Chairman Thompson also requests DHS provide relevant documentation and records on construction of a border wall, metering individuals at land ports of entry, interdiction of families between ports of entry, and care and treatment of children in CBP custody.\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-lauds-election-security-inclusion-hr-1", "Chairman Thompson Lauds Election Security Inclusion in H.R. 1", "2019-01-04", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 4, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, lauded the inclusion of election security in H.R. 1, the For the People Act, introduced today by the new House Democratic Majority to establish electoral reforms, strengthen our democracy, and combat corruption.\n\nThe election security provisions in H.R. 1 were originally part of the Election Security Act (H.R. 5011), authored by Congressman Thompson last year after he served as co-Chair of the Task Force on Election Security. The Task Force was formed after the 2016 election to investigate vulnerabilities in our election systems and democratic institutions.\n\nElection security provisions in H.R. 1:\n\nRequires states use paper ballots.\n\nEstablishes cybersecurity standards for voting systems vendors.\n\nFunds grants for states to improve and maintain the security of their election systems, to provide cybersecurity training to election officials, and to implement post-election risk limiting audits.\n\nRequires the DNI to assess threats to election systems 180 days before an election and requires DHS and the Election Assistance Commission to issue recommendations to address threats.\n\nRequires the testing of voting systems nine months before an election.\n\nRequires the President to produce a national strategy for protecting democratic institutions.\n\nCreates a National Commission to Protect United States Democratic Institutions.\n\nChairman Thompson released the following statement on H.R. 1:\n\n\"I am proud to have contributed to the creation of this legislation to strengthen our democracy and protect the integrity of our elections. With a mandate from the American people, the new House Democratic Majority is now finally in a position to pass legislation that will help secure our election infrastructure and help instill confidence in our democratic institutions. With passage of H.R. 1, we will be able to provide the support states need to protect the integrity of our elections against foreign interference, ensure confidence in election results by implementing risk-limiting audits, and trust that election infrastructure vendors are meeting appropriate security requirements.\"\n\n\"This should not be a partisan issue, but Congress has done far too little to prevent foreign election meddling after Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Democrats promised the American people that election security would continue to be a priority and today we are making good on that promise. The time to act is now. The 2020 election season has already begun.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-thompson-statement-bill-fund-dhs", "Chairman Thompson Statement on Bill to Fund DHS", "2019-01-03", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 3, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on the Continuing Resolution to fund the Department of Homeland Security:\n\n\"Since the government shutdown on December 21, roughly 2.5 million holiday travelers each day have passed through airport security checkpoints staffed by Transportation Security officers who aren't getting paid. Almost half of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency workforce is furloughed, and the rest are working without pay. In all, 87 percent of the DHS workforce is reporting to work without pay and without knowing when their next paycheck will come.\"\n\n\"These are fellow Americans with bills to pay and families to support. The President should not be treating them like pawns in his pathetic pursuit to fulfill an absurd campaign promise.\"\n\n\"I have spent over a decade working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to identify and invest in effective ways to secure the border. That is why I find the President's bizarre obsession with wasting billions of dollars on building a wall so confounding.\"\n\n\"There is no evidence that a wall spanning the US-Mexico border will make America safer. The kinds of threats America faces today transcend physical borders. The President needs to learn that and adjust his priorities accordingly.\"\n\n\"I am disappointed that we are forced to spend the first days of the 116th Congress on the unfinished business of the last Congress instead of addressing the priorities the Americans elected us to tackle.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"], ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thompson-statement-john-kelly-departing-trump-administration", "Thompson Statement on John Kelly Departing the Trump Administration", "2019-01-02", "2019", "2019-01", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie G. Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", "benniethompson", "https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "January 2, 2019 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member and incoming Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on former Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly's departure today from the Trump Administration:\n\n\"It is truly sad that John Kelly, who served the country admirably in the military, has had his reputation and service tarnished by serving President Trump both at DHS and the White House. Over the past two years, General Kelly seemed completely unable or unwilling to stand up to the President as he continues to take the country down a dark path. He has little of substance to show for his tenure in this Administration. General Kelly is no victim however - and it is clear that history will not be kind to his complicity and willingness to blindly serve this President.\"\n\n# # #\n\nMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:13:43Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 48, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "MS", "p2": "2019"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MS&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 48, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MS&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 48, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MS&year=2019&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MS&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "MS", "label": "MS", "count": 48, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MS&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "2019", "label": "2019", "count": 48, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=MS", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 116.78795400075614, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}