{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thompson-senate-must-scrutinize-dhs-nominee-history-experience", "Thompson: Senate Must Scrutinize DHS Nominee History & Experience", "2017-10-16", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEThompson: Senate Must Scrutinize DHS Nominee History & Experience\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOctober 16, 2017 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to Senator Ron Johnson, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, urging him to scrutinize Kirstjen Nielsen\u2019s professional background and experience thoroughly during her confirmation process to potentially become Homeland Security Secretary.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tExcerpt from letter:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhile I am pleased the President has finally named a nominee for this critical national security position, I am greatly troubled by Ms. Nielsen\u2019s record as Senior Director for Preparedness and Response at the White House Homeland Security Council during the Bush Administration\u2019s botched response to Hurricane Katrina.\u00a0 Given the ongoing tragedy in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with other homeland security challenges facing our Nation, the Department of Homeland Security must have a proven, capable leader as Secretary.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Ms. Nielsen\u2019s record raises questions about her suitability for such a position.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLink to letter\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNews Article\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t# \u00a0#\u00a0 #\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMedia contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "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"], "primary_key_values": ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thompson-senate-must-scrutinize-dhs-nominee-history-experience"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8186311461031437, "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"}