Bennie Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bennie Thompson
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Official portrait, 2023
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| Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | John Katko |
| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Peter King |
| Succeeded by | Mike Rogers |
| In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Turner |
| Succeeded by | Peter King |
| Chair of the House January 6th Committee | |
| In office July 1, 2021 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Michael McCaul |
| Succeeded by | Mark Green |
| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Peter King |
| Succeeded by | Peter King |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Mississippi's 2nd district |
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| Assumed office April 13, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Mike Espy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Bennie Gordon Thompson
January 28, 1948 Bolton, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
London Johnson
(m. 1968) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Tougaloo College (BA) Jackson State University (MS) |
| Signature |  |
Bennie Gordon Thompson (born January 28, 1948) is an American politician. He has been a U.S. representative for Mississippi since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Thompson has led the Committee on Homeland Security twice. He was the first Democrat and the first African American to chair this important committee. Since 2011, he has been the only Democrat representing Mississippi in the U.S. Congress.
His district includes most of Jackson. It is the only district in Mississippi where most people are Black. The district is very large, covering about 275 miles (443 km) long and 180 miles (290 km) wide. It also borders the Mississippi River.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bennie Thompson was born in Bolton, Mississippi. His parents were Will and Annie Thompson. He went to public schools in Hinds County. He graduated from Hinds County Agricultural High School.
He then studied at Tougaloo College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1968. Later, in 1972, he earned a Master of Science degree from Jackson State University. This degree was in educational administration.
Before becoming a U.S. Representative, Thompson worked as a schoolteacher in Madison, Mississippi. He also served as an alderman (a local council member) in Bolton from 1969 to 1973. Then, he became the mayor of Bolton, serving from 1973 to 1980. After that, he was elected to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors. He served on this board from 1980 until 1993.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Thompson became a U.S. Representative in 1993. This happened after Mike Espy resigned from the House. Espy left to become the Secretary of Agriculture. Thompson won a special election to take his place. He has been reelected 12 times since then.
Helping After Disasters
After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit in 2005, Thompson became a strong voice for the Gulf Coast. He used his position on the Homeland Security Committee to make sure organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Red Cross were doing their job well. He also worked to prevent waste and fraud in the contracts given out for hurricane recovery. Thompson wanted small businesses and those from the Gulf Coast to get priority in rebuilding efforts. He even helped start a group in the House called the Gulf Coast Recovery & Rebuilding Caucus.
His Political Views
Thompson is known for his liberal political views. He is a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. His main goals in Congress include:
- Improving homeland security.
- Protecting civil rights.
- Supporting agriculture and rural areas.
- Ensuring equal education for everyone.
- Working on health care reform.
In 1975, he was part of a lawsuit called the Ayers Case. This case was about making sure Black educational institutions in Mississippi received enough funding. In 2000, Thompson helped create the National Center for Minority Health and Health Care Disparities.
As chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Thompson focused on getting resources to local officials and first responders. These include firefighters, police, and EMTs. He wanted them to have the equipment and training they needed to keep their communities safe. Thompson understood their needs because he was a volunteer firefighter and a local elected official for 24 years.
Working on National Security
On January 5, 2007, Thompson introduced a very important bill. It was called the "Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007." This bill aimed to put into action the remaining ideas from the 9/11 Commission. It focused on making major improvements in:
- Aviation security (safety at airports and on planes).
- Border security.
- Infrastructure security (protecting important buildings and systems).
The bill also aimed to give first responders the right equipment and training. It worked to stop terrorists from getting dangerous weapons. It also expanded efforts to fight terrorism through diplomacy and education. This bill had support from both major political parties. It passed and became law on August 3, 2007.
Thompson was the first African-American chairman of a House Committee to lead a joint House-Senate meeting on the very first bill introduced in a new Congress.
Recent Work and Bills
Thompson supports a bill to stop car insurance companies from using credit scores to decide rates. Supporters believe this would lower rates for people struggling financially. The bill suggests that rates should only be based on a driver's skills and responsibility.
He also supports a bill to increase background checks for pilot trainees. Currently, only foreign-born trainees need this screening. The bill would require all applicants to be screened by the Department of Homeland Security.
In July 2014, Thompson worked with Senator Ron Wyden on a bill. This bill aimed to limit how many government documents are kept secret. It also wanted to improve the system for security clearances.
In April 2020, Thompson and other lawmakers proposed a bill to create a commission. This commission would study how the nation prepared for and responded to the coronavirus pandemic. He compared it to the 9/11 Commission. He noted that more Americans had died from the virus than in the September 11 attacks. The commission would publish a report with recommendations for handling future pandemics.
For his work as chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Thompson received an "A" grade from a non-political group called the Lugar Center.
In March 2021, Thompson voted against the "For the People Act." This bill aimed to change campaign finance and election laws. He explained that his voters did not like parts of the bill, especially those about redistricting and public finances. He said he always listens to his constituents and votes in their interest.
Leading the January 6th Investigation
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After the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021, Thompson called for a full investigation. He said his committee had been studying threats from domestic terrorism for years.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi wanted to create a special group to investigate the attack. This group would be like the 9/11 Commission. Thompson and another lawmaker, John Katko, worked together to create this commission. They tried to make sure it had support from both Democrats and Republicans.
However, some lawmakers blocked the creation of this commission. So, on July 1, 2021, Speaker Pelosi chose Thompson to lead a new group. This group was called the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. Thompson's experience in national security made him a good choice to lead this committee. As the chairman, Thompson had the power to issue subpoenas (official requests for information or people to testify) on his own. This was unusual, as most committees need a majority vote to do this.
Committee and Group Memberships
For the current Congress, Thompson is the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security. This means he is the top Democrat on the committee. He can also attend any subcommittee meeting as a member.
He is also part of many other groups in Congress, including:
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Gaming Caucus
- Congressional Rural Caucus
- Congressional Sunbelt Caucus
- Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucus
- Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus
- Tennessee Valley Authority Caucus
- Congressional Children's Working Group
- National Guard & Reserve Components Congressional Members Organization
- Afterschool Caucuses
Bills He Has Supported
- The Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2013 (H.R. 1204; 113th Congress): This bill would have created an advisory committee for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to help with aviation security.
- Thompson also supports a bill to prevent members of Congress from sleeping in their offices.
National Politics
Thompson was the main leader for the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
Lawsuit Regarding January 6th
On February 16, 2021, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Bennie Thompson. This lawsuit accused Donald Trump and others of being responsible for the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. The lawsuit claimed that they tried to stop Congress from doing its job. The lawsuit also included Rudy Giuliani, the Proud Boys, and the Oath Keepers as defendants.
Personal Life
Bennie Thompson is married to London Johnson. They have a daughter named BendaLonne. He also has a granddaughter, Jeanna, and a grandson, Thomas. He is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He is also a lifelong member of the Asbury United Methodist Church in Bolton.
Recognition
In January 2025, President Joe Biden announced that Thompson would receive the Presidential Citizens Medal. This is a special award given to people who have done great things for the country.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- Final Report of the Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel
