Bennie Thompson

Democrat Representative of Mississippi's 2nd district

Representative
Mississippi, district 2
April 13, 1993 - January 3, 1995
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 4, 1995 - January 3, 1997
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 7, 1997 - January 3, 1999
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 6, 1999 - January 3, 2001
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 3, 2001 - January 3, 2003
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 7, 2003 - January 3, 2005
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 4, 2005 - January 3, 2007
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 4, 2007 - January 3, 2009
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 6, 2009 - January 3, 2011
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 5, 2011 - January 3, 2013
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 3, 2013 - January 3, 2015
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 6, 2015 - January 3, 2017
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 3, 2017 - January 3, 2019
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 3, 2019 - January 3, 2021
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 3, 2021 - January 3, 2023
Representative
Mississippi, district 2
January 3, 2023 - January 3, 2025

202-225-5876

@BennieGThompson

benniethompson.house.gov

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Congresses Served

House Terms

January 28, 1948 (76 years old)

Birthday

Serving as U.S. representative for Mississippi’s 2nd congressional district since 1993
Served as chair of the Committee on Homeland Security from 2007 to 2011 and from 2019 to 2023
First Democrat and first African American to chair the Committee on Homeland Security
Dean of Mississippi’s congressional delegation and, since 2011, the only Democrat in Mississippi’s congressional delegation
Represents a majority-black district that includes most of Jackson and the Mississippi Delta
Early career included roles as a schoolteacher, alderman, mayor of Bolton, and member of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors
Advocated for accountability and reform in FEMA and the Red Cross post-Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Founding member of the bipartisan Gulf Coast Recovery & Rebuilding Caucus
Described as the most liberal member of the Mississippi delegation and a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
Involved in legislation focused on homeland security, civil rights, agriculture, education, and health care reform
Introduced legislation that led to the creation of the National Center for Minority Health and Health Care Disparities
Objected to the certification of the 2004 presidential election results in Ohio
Co-sponsored legislation to implement the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations, which was signed into law
Proposed bills related to auto insurance rates, pilot trainee screening, and reducing classified documents
Introduced legislation for a commission to investigate the nation’s response to the coronavirus
Voted against the For the People Act due to constituents’ opposition to certain provisions
Chaired the United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack
Involved in various caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus and the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucus
Supported legislation to improve aviation security and opposed the use of congressional offices for sleeping
Filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump, accusing him of inciting violence on January 6 at the U.S. Capitol
Married with a daughter, a granddaughter, and a grandson; member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and a lifetime member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Bolton