Advanced search    Help

Clear all search criteria

Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).

• Countering Violent Islamist Extremism: The Urgent Threat of Foreign Fighters and Homegrown Terror, Hearing Before the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session February 11, 2015

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This testimony compilation is from the February 11, 2015 hearing, "Countering Violent Islamist Extremism: The Urgent Threat of Foreign Fighters and Homegrown Terror," before the House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. From the statement of Michael McCaul, "We must keep those barbaric terrorists out of the homeland to protect the American people. This hearing will also assess the urgent and growing threat of terrorists recruiting and inspiring Americans. We need to accurately define the threat - violent Islamist extremism - and recognize it is spreading like wildfire around the globe. These fanatics want nothing less than destruction of our way of life, and now their ability to match words with deeds is growing at an astonishing rate. In recent years, their safe havens have proliferated and their ranks have swelled. In many ways, we are no longer talking about terrorist groups. We are talking about terrorist armies. ISIS now controls a territory the size of Belgium, governs millions of people, draws on billions of dollars in revenue, and commands tens of thousands of foot soldiers. And they are brutal - their latest act of barbarism was on full display with the horrific murder of the Jordanian pilot.This evolving Islamist terror landscape has given rise to the - dual threats of foreign fighter returnees and homegrown terrorism. The recent terror attack in Paris, and other attacks and plots in Belgium, Germany, the U.K., Australia, Canada, and here in the U.S. are proof that the threat has surged and that the enemy is dead set on attacking the West." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Francis X. Taylor, Nicholas J. Rasmussen, and Michael B. Steinbach.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2015-02-11
• Role of Cyber Insurance in Risk Management, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies of the Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, Second Session, March 22, 2016

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This testimony compilation is from the March 22, 2016 hearing on "Role of Cyber Insurance in Risk Management" before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. From the Opening Statement of John Ratcliffe, "The House Homeland Security Committee, Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Security Technologies meets today to hear from key stakeholders about the role of cyber insurance in managing risk. Just yesterday the Bipartisan Policy Center came out with a publication on the room for growth in this market and the barriers that it faces. Specifically, we hope to hear about the potential for cyber insurance to be used to drive companies of all sizes to improve their resiliency against cyber attacks and develop a more effective risk management strategy, leading to a safer Internet for all Americans. The cyber insurance market is in its infancy. But it's easy to envision its vast potential. Just as the process of obtaining home insurance can incentivize homeowners to invest in strong locks, smoke detectors, and security alarms, the same could be true for companies seeking to obtain cyber insurance. It is for that reason that I look forward to hearing from the witnesses today on the current state of the cyber insurance market, and what can be done to develop, improve, and expand the availability of cyber insurance in the future." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Matthew McCabe, Adam W. Hamm, Daniel Nutkis, and Tom Finan.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2016-03-22
• New Approach to Increase Trade and Security: An Examination of CBP's Public and Private Partnerships, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, November 4, 2015

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This is a testimony compilation of the November 4, 2015 hearing "A New Approach to Increase Trade and Security: An Examination of CBP's Public and Private Partnerships," held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of subcommittee chairman Candice Miller: "The commerce that moves through the nation's ports of entry powers our economy, drives job creation and is fundamental to our way of life. If ports of entry shut down, or traffic is backed up -- millions of dollars may be lost, economic growth comes to an abrupt halt, travelers find other destinations to visit, and would-be customs revenue destined for the U.S. Treasury goes away. Despite the importance of ports of entry to the nation's economic health, port of entry modernization efforts have been significantly underfunded, and Customs and Border Protection [CBP] staffing has not kept pace with growing demand. While CBP is frequently asked to provide new or additional service at ports of entry across the country, CBP is often unable to accommodate these requests due to staffing shortages and other resource constraints. Over the past few years this Congress has appropriated more than $2 billion dollars for port of entry construction, but that is dwarfed by the estimated $ 4-6 billion dollars needed to fully modernize our ports of entry. Air passenger volumes are growing at a rate of 4 to 5 percent a year, the nation has experienced a 24% increase in cargo containers since the dark days of the Great Recession, and more cars and trucks transit the land ports of entry than ever before. We are falling further behind every year to match the demands placed on our CBP officers and infrastructure." Statements, letters, and other materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John Wagner, Michael Gelber, Sam F. Vale, and David A. Garcia.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2015-11-04
• Assessing Terrorism in the Caucasus and the Threat to the Homeland: Hearing Before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, April 3, 2014

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This testimony compilation is from the April 3, 2014 hearing, "Assessing Terrorism in the Caucasus and the Threat to the Homeland," before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. From Peter King's opening statement: "While the current threat to Homeland from the Caucasus' today appears minor, we must remember that we have made the mistake of underestimating the threat from terrorists in places like Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen before. The Obama Administration designated the now deceased leader of the Caucasus Emirate, Doku Umarov, as a global terrorist in 2010 and the United Nations Security Council al Qaeda Sanctions Committee has both Umarov and the Caucasus Emirate on its list of terrorists. As this Subcommittee has stressed time and again, global terrorism does not require regiments of hardened soldiers with sophisticated weapons to have a lasting impact on society. Rather, a handful of committed murderers using household pressure cookers, or hijacking commercial airplanes can fundamentally change the course of history if they are disciplined and able to successfully conduct just one or two dramatic acts of violence. Al Qaeda is an opportunistic ideological movement that thrives in ungoverned spaces such as the Caucasus." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Gordon M. Hahn, William F. Roggio, and Andrew C. Kuchins.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2014-04-03
• Safeguarding Our Nation's Surface Transportation Systems Against Evolving Terrorist Threats, Hearing Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Transportation Security, and Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, September 17, 2015

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This testimony compilation is from the September 17, 2015 hearing on "Safeguarding Our Nation's Surface Transportation Systems Against Evolving Terrorist Threats," before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security. From the Opening Statement of John Katko, "The purpose of today's hearing is to assess our ability and readiness to detect and disrupt threats to our nation's critical surface transportation systems." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Eddie Mayenschein, Jennifer Grover, Raymond Diaz, and Polly Hanson.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2015-09-17
• Boko Haram - Emerging Threat to the U.S. Homeland: Hearing Before the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, November 30, 2011

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This testimony compilation is from the November 30, 2011 hearing, Boko Haram-Emerging Threat to the U.S. Homeland, before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. From the conclusion statement of Dr. J. Peter Pham: "All indications are that Boko Haram's support networks, both within Nigeria and outside the country, are still somewhat limited. Nevertheless, the fact that the group has been able in recent months to expand its operations beyond its base in northern Nigeria ought to be a wake-­‐ up call to both the Nigerian government and the international community. Certainly the suicide bombings targeting symbols of Nigerian state authority and the international community represented a major advance in Boko Haram's capabilities and a significant shift in its message. The effect was not only to discredit the hitherto efforts of Nigerian officials to trivialize the group as an insignificant localized problem--rather than the direct challenge to the state that it constitutes--but also to call into question the assumptions of security analysts abroad who have long minimized the risks faced by a Nigeria whose vast natural and political resources, rather than powering growth and development to the benefit of all Nigerians, have sadly for most of the last half century been consumed in a downward spiral of corruption, internal conflict, and violence." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Patrick Meehan, J. Peter Pham, Lauren Ploch, Ricardo Laremont, and Jennifer G. Cooke.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2011-11-30
• False Narrative Endangers the Homeland, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, January 15, 2014

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This is the the January 15, 2014 hearing, "A False Narrative Endangers the Homeland," before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Michael T. McCaul: "The Committee on Homeland Security will come to order. The committee is meeting today to examine the danger to the homeland from the threat of extremism. I now recognize myself for an opening statement. Today the President's rhetoric on the threat of al-Qaeda and its franchises are in stark contrast to the reality we are witnessing in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Whether or not the downplaying of the spread of these Islamic extremist groups and the real threat they pose, which are metastasizing from the civil war in Syria, is to further a political agenda or simply to avoid the conflict altogether, I believe this false narrative greatly endangers our National security. Protecting this Nation requires that we correctly identify the threats against it. It also requires that the United States lead on the world stage. I am increasingly concerned that we are doing very little of both. The administration has labeled the Fort Hood massacre in my home State ''workplace violence,'' explained Benghazi away with a protest to a video as opposed to an al-Qaeda-driven attack, and removed words like ''violent Islamist extremism'' from their vernacular. With each attack, the administration appears to distance itself from who is behind it." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Joseph I. Lieberman, Jane Harman, John M. Keane, Seth G. Jones, and Jeff Duncan.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2014
• Denying Terrorists Entry to the United States: Examining Visa Security, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism of the Committee on Homeland Security, United States House of Representatives, One Hundred Fifteenth Congress, First Session, May 3, 2017

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This testimony compilation is from the May 3, 2017 hearing, "Denying Terrorists Entry to the United States: Examining Visa Security," before the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism of the Committee on Homeland Security, United States House of Representatives. From the Committee on Homeland Security website: On September 29, 2015, the House Committee on Homeland Security released the findings of its bipartisan 'Task Force on Combatting Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel'. The task force provided over fifty recommendations for identifying and obstructing terrorist travel, some of which were enacted into law including the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. The Committee has established a new bipartisan 'Task Force on Denying Terrorists Entry to the United States'. The main, though not exclusive, thrust of the task force will be a review of the Government's implementation of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act to identify the progress made, the gaps that remain, and potential new gaps that have emerged within the Visa Waiver Program as we approach the two year anniversary of the passage of the legislation. This hearing is the first in a number of hearings and meetings to examine Visa Security and paths of entry into the United States." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Edward Ramotowski, John Wagner, Michael Dougherty, Clark E. Settles, and Rebecca Gambler.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2017-05-03
• Leadership Challenges at the Department of Homeland Security: Allegations of Improper Influence Regarding Special Visas, Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred Fourteenth Congress, First Session, March 26, 2015

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This is a testimony compilation from the March 26, 2015 hearing "Leadership Challenges at the Department of Homeland Security: Allegations of Improper Influence Regarding Special Visas," held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Chairman Michael McCaul: "In an April 2010 memo to USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] employees, then Director Mayorkas stated, 'Each USCIS employee has the duty to act impartially in the performance of his or her official duties. Any occurrence of actual or perceived preferential treatment, like treating similarly situated applicants differently, can call into question our ability to implement our Nation's immigration laws fairly, honestly, and properly,' and that is his words. I am extremely troubled by the findings of the DHS Inspector General's report on the EB-5 [type of U.S. visa] program. The alleged exertion of undue influence and special processes established by Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during his tenure as Director of USCIS that resulted in benefits for politicallyconnected and powerful individuals is extremely concerning. The list of individuals involved in the allegations raised in the report reads like an A-list political powerhouses: 'Ed Rendell' -- former Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania, former chair of the Democratic National Committee and long-time Clinton advocate; 'Terry McAuliffe' -- current Democratic Governor of Virginia, former chair of the Democratic National Committee (after Ed Rendell), co-chairman of President Bill Clinton's 1996 re-election campaign, and chairman of Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign; 'Anthony Rodham' -- younger brother of Hillary Clinton; and 'Harry Reid' -- Senate Minority Leader. The findings show that Mr. Mayorkas' intervention in three specific examples, involving the individuals I just mentioned gave the appearance that he played favorites with these Democratic political operatives capable of opening doors in Washington." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: John Roth.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2015-03-26
• Terror Gone Viral: Overview of the 243 ISIS-Linked Incidents Targeting the West

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The House Homeland Security Committee has been tracking terrorist activity linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) since the group's formation. This report was produced by the Committee's Majority Staff and is intended to capture the scope of ISIS external operations against Western countries, including the United States, as well as other terrorist incidents inspired by the group. It provides a high-level examination of ISIS-linked plots and attacks targeting Western countries along with a summary of each incident. At the end of July, ISIS has been tied to at least 243 terrorist plots or attacks against the West since 2014."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2018-10
• Terror Threat Snapshot [October 2018]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  The "Terror Threat Snapshot" is a product of the House Homeland Security Committee, and provides a monthly assessment of the Committee's continuing effort to highlight the growing threat America, the West, and the world face from ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] and other Islamist terrorists.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2018-10
• Stopping Terrorist Travel Through Illicit Pathways to the Homeland

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Given the threats we face from international terrorism, the House Homeland Security Committee established the Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel in 2015 and the Task Force on Denying Terrorists Entry into the United States in 2017 to evaluate threats and offer policy solutions to keep the homeland safe. In addition to these two task forces, staff members from the Majority were charged with identifying the exploitation of illicit pathways to America by SIAs [Special Interest Aliens] throughout the Western Hemisphere. This team was briefed by American and foreign national security officials, analyzed government documents, conducted research, and traveled to six different countries in Central and South America. The following report is the conclusion of their work."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2019-01
• Terror Threat Snapshot [December 2018]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  The "Terror Threat Snapshot" is a monthly assessment of the House Homeland Security Committee that highlights the growing threat to America, the West, and the world from ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] and other Islamist terrorists.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2018-12
• Terror Threat Snapshot [November 2018]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  The "Terror Threat Snapshot" is a monthly assessment of the House Homeland Security Committee that highlights the growing threat to America, the West, and the world from ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] and other Islamist terrorists.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2018-11
• Department of Homeland Security: An Assessment of the Department and a Roadmap for its Future: Hearing Before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, September 20, 2012 [video]

  Show summary     Open resource [html]     (open full abstract)

  This is a video of the hearing that occurred on September 20, 2012. From the opening statement of Richard Skinner: "Since its inception in 2003, the department has worked to accomplish the largest reorganization of the federal government in more than half a century. This task, creating the third largest Cabinet agency with the missions of protecting the country against another terrorist attack, responding to threats and hazards, ensuring safe and secure borders, welcoming lawful immigrants and visitors, and promoting the free flow of commerce, has presented many challenges. While the department has made progress over the past 9 years, it still has much to do to establish a cohesive, efficient, and effective organization. The OIG's [Office of the Inspector General] latest major management challenges report, dated November 10, 2011, continues to address a broad range of issues, including both program and administrative challenges. In total, the OIG identified nine categories of challenges: Financial Management, Information Technology Management, Acquisition Management, Grants Management, Emergency Management, Infrastructure Protection, Border Security, Transportation Security, and Trade Operations and Security. These are essentially the same management challenges that the [...] OIG reported as early as 2005." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Richard Skinner, Stewart A. Baker, Frank J. Cilluffo, and David C. Maurer.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2012-09-20
• Getting Beyond Getting Ready for Pandemic Influenza

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The report examines the Nation's state of preparedness and response capabilities in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak. It identifies sixteen weaknesses in the outgoing Bush Administration's approach to get prepared for pandemic influenza. In addition, the report provides fifteen critical recommendations for what Congress, the incoming Administration, and the public and private sectors can do to achieve National readiness to combat this threat. [...] The change in Presidential leadership presents a new opportunity to ensure that the Nation is ready to address pandemic influenza from a position of strength. The House Committee on Homeland Security looks forward to working with the Obama Administration to address this threat and achieve National readiness."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2009-01
• [Letter from Bennie G. Thompson to Chad F. Wolf Regarding National Institute of Standards and Technology Report 'Face Recognition Vendor Test Part 3: Demographic Effects', December 20, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Letter: "I write with concern after the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published a troubling report yesterday that found inaccuracy across demographic groups of algorithms like those the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) uses for facial recognition. NIST examined 189 facial detection algorithms voluntarily submitted by 99 companies, academic institutions, and other developers. NIST found that black and Asian people were up to 100 times more likely to be misidentified than white people. It also found that children and elderly people were more likely to be misidentified than middle-aged people and that women were more likely to be misidentified than men. Surprisingly, NIST found that even 'one-to-one' matching systems where a person's face is matched against a specific photograph (such as that on a passport)--which DHS has highlighted as the most accurate systems--had high error rates. The results of this study are shocking. They call into question not only DHS's future plans for expanding the use of facial recognition technology, but also the Department's current operations."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  Thompson, Bennie, 1948-

  2019-12-20
• Rebuilding TSA into a Smarter, Leaner Organization

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created to help restore confidence in aviation security. Congress provided TSA with the flexibility to set policies and procedures for screening people and goods as they moved through our transportation systems. Unfortunately, that flexibility has been exploited by TSA in recent years. Its operations are in many cases costly, counterintuitive, and poorly executed. Despite the reality that we have not endured another successful terrorist attack since 2001, TSA is failing to meet taxpayers' expectations. This report explores why. During the 112th Congress, the Subcommittee on Transportation Security of the Committee on Homeland Security launched a thorough examination of TSA's operations, rules, and regulations and their impact on job-creating transportation industry stakeholders. This examination included 22 hearings, 15 Member briefings, 7 site visits, and an in-depth review by the Subcommittee's Majority Members and Staff."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2012-09
• Letter Addressed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark A. Morgan Regarding Regarding the Treatment of Pregnant Women at the Border

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Letter: "Building on the Committee's ongoing investigation of the treatment of children in the custody of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), we write with profound concerns regarding the treatment of another vulnerable group in CBP detention: pregnant women. Given that CBP has detained nearly twice as many pregnant women in 2018 as it did in 2017, allegations that these women are not receiving proper care and medical treatment while in custody are alarming. Our concerns are heightened by the current coronavirus pandemic, which poses significant risks for all individuals held in CBP custody but particularly for those with underlying medical conditions."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  Thompson, Bennie, 1948-; Rogers, Mike

  2020-04-20
• 'National Commission Regarding 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Act' or the 'COVID-19 Commission Act' as Introduced by Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS)

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "'The National Commission Regarding 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Act (COVID-19 Commission Act)' seeks to establish a bipartisan commission, modeled after the 9/11 Commission, to-- [1] Provide a full and complete accounting of the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the 2019 novel coronavirus, the Nation's preparedness for the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic, and the actions taken by Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments at critical junctures before and after the World Health Organization designated the 2019 novel coronavirus as a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020; [2] Identify and examine lessons learned regarding preparedness, response, and recovery efforts at all levels relating to the 2019 novel coronavirus; [3] Review and evaluate recommendations and pandemic plans issued by the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense and other nonpartisan entities regarding health security, pandemic preparedness, response, or recovery; and [4] Not later than 18 months after the initial meeting of the Commission, publish a public report that includes recommendations for the development of a national plan to minimize negative public health, economic, and social impacts of future wide-scale public health emergencies based on the Commission's findings."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2020
• [Letter from Bennie G. Thompson and Max Rose to Elizabeth Neumann Regarding DHS Efforts to Counter Extremism During COVID-19 Pandemic, March 24, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "As the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease] pandemic continues to upend American life in new and unpredictable ways, we seek an understanding of how DHS is preparing for and mitigating potential homeland security threats from bad actors, such as violent extremists in the United States and abroad, who may seek to exploit vulnerabilities stemming from this metastasizing crisis. To that end, we would like to know how the Office of Threat Prevention and Security Policy is coordinating DHS prevention efforts to account for the evolving threat landscape under the specter of COVID-19. Recent media reports have highlighted how white supremacist extremists across the world are discussing ways to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to advance violent ends, including, in some cases, accelerating society toward mass violence by sowing chaos. ISIS [Islamic State in Iraq and Syria], too, appears to be interested in exploiting the crisis: in the March 19, 2020, issue of the ISIS magazine 'Al-Naba'', an editorial urged adherents to leverage the pandemic to free prisoners from the 'prisons of the polytheists and the camps of humiliation,' arguing that Western countries' security forces are preoccupied with the crisis and their financial resources are being drained."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  Thompson, Bennie, 1948-; Rose, Max

  2020-03-24
• Letter Addressed to the Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf Regarding Coronavirus Intelligence Reports

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Letter: "The COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic continues to upend every aspect of life for all Americans. As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the interagency continue responding to the novel coronavirus, recent press reporting has suggested that the Intelligence Community (IC) was issuing reports on the growing contagion as early as November 2019, with relevant intelligence included in the President's Daily Brief many times in early 2020. We write to inquire about the policy and operational efforts of DHS with respect to intelligence regarding the novel coronavirus as well as DHS headquarters' interactions, including the dissemination of relevant intelligence products, with DHS components who continue to interact with the public to carry out mission-essential functions."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  Thompson, Bennie, 1948-; Rogers, Mike

  2020-04-29
• Hearing: Examining the National Response to the Worsening Coronavirus Pandemic: Part II [video]

  Show summary     Open resource [html]     (open full abstract)

  This is the July 22, 2020 remote hearing "Examining the National Response to the Worsening Coronavirus Pandemic: Part II" held before the House Committee on Homeland Security. The duration of the video is 3 hours, 7 minutes and 1 second.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2020-07-22
• [Letter from Bennie G. Thompson to Chad F. Wolf Regarding DHS Temperature Check Program, June 16, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "I write to express my concern over reports that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing to commence a temperature check program. Reportedly, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would be tasked to begin checking temperatures of departing passengers at U.S. airports to identify individuals who may have COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. Additionally, the Committee was informed that DHS's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) ran a week-long pilot at Dulles International Airport in April to test varying thermal detection technologies in anticipation of widespread temperature checks at U.S. airports. Given these developments, we have some questions for you regarding DHS's efforts and future plans regarding an airport-based federal temperature check program."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  Thompson, Bennie, 1948-

  2020-06-16
• ICE Detention Facilities: Failing to Meet Basic Standards of Care

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Executive Summary: "One year ago, Chairman Bennie G. Thompson of the Committee on Homeland Security began a review into the conditions of confinement at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities and whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the necessary oversight tools in place to ensure that those facilities meet applicable standards. This report provides the results of that review."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2020-09-21
• [Letter from Chairman Thompson and Committee Democrats to Peter T. Gaynor Regarding FEMA and its Ability to Respond to Multiple Disasters During the COVID-19 Pandemic, May 28, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Letter: "As our country continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, the threat posed by natural disasters is on the rise. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays a critical role in preparing for and responding to both natural disasters and the ongoing pandemic, raising concerns about the agency's ability to respond to multiple disasters simultaneously. We write to urge you to ensure FEMA is ready to respond to natural disasters as it responds to COVID-19, request a briefing on FEMA's efforts in this regard, and offer our support during this critical time."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2020-05-28
• [July 31, 2020 Letter to Acting Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis Brian Murphy]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Letter: "We write to express our serious concerns regarding the role of the Office of Intelligence & Analysis (I&A) in the deployment of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel to Portland, Oregon, in recent weeks. We are also troubled by reports that I&A has authored and disseminated intelligence products detailing American citizen journalists' reporting activities, which are protected by the First Amendment. I&A must produce clear, valid, and unbiased intelligence and information--not driven by any political agenda. As the acting head of I&A, you have a duty to provide unvarnished assessments and intelligence both to the broader Intelligence Community and to state and local partners even if the assessments contradict the policy agenda of DHS's senior leadership. The consumers of your intelligence expect that I&A will not shade the facts to suit a particular agenda. More broadly, the American public counts on you to have the courage to disagree with your peers and superiors in DHS when the truth demands it."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  Thompson, Bennie, 1948-; Rogers, Mike

  2020-07-31
• [Letter from Bennie G. Thompson to Henry Kerner Requesting an Investigation into Chad Wolf for Hatch Act Violation, August 26, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Letter: "I write today to urge the Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether The Honorable Chad Wolf of the Department of Homeland Security used an official government position for the purpose of affecting the outcome of an election in violation of the Hatch Act."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  Thompson, Bennie, 1948-

  2020-08-26
• Committee on Homeland Security: Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Executive Summary: "In early March, Chairman Bennie G. Thompson and the Democratic Members of the Homeland Security Committee convened two full Committee hearings and one subcommittee hearing to examine the emerging coronavirus threat. After social distancing protocols were imposed, the Committee continued its robust oversight of the Trump Administration's preparedness and response activities. The Committee has convened 12 virtual forums and Members have received 10 briefings with Administration officials to examine all aspects of the pandemic response."

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2020-06
• Hearing: Examining the National Response to the Worsening Coronavirus Pandemic [video]

  Show summary     Open resource [html]     (open full abstract)

  This is the House Committee on Homeland Security hearing "Examining the National Response to the Worsening Coronavirus Pandemic" streamed live on July 8, 2020. The duration of the video is 3 hours, 21 minutes and 34 seconds.

  United States. Congress. House. Committee on Homeland Security

  2020-07-08