Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
Department of Homeland Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Act
A Democratic bill with 11 Democratic cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the ``Department of Homeland Security Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Act'', aims to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002. It focuses on making improvements regarding the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the Department of Homeland Security. The legislation specifies how the Officer is appointed. Additionally, it requires the Secretary to provide certain resources.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +3
Would immigrants be better off under this?
Strengthening the civil rights office within DHS provides a critical layer of protection for immigrants.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Providing more resources to the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer increases departmental accountability.
- Scored +3
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
Strengthening the civil rights oversight within DHS may help protect racial equity through more effective enforcement of rights.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Assignment of Personnel: The Secretary is required to assign permanent staff and resources to assist the Officer in performing their duties. This could help the Officer effectively carry out the responsibilities outlined in subsection (a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Section 2, subsection (b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — Strengthening the civil rights office within DHS provides a critical layer of protection for immigrants. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Enhanced civil rights oversight within DHS can lead to better protection against systemic biases. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Enhanced civil rights oversight within DHS can lead to better protection against systemic biases. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Increased civil rights oversight provides potential protections for all minority groups under DHS jurisdiction. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Enhanced civil rights oversight within DHS can provide better protections for LGBTQ individuals. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improved civil liberties protections often disproportionately benefit lower-income populations subject to increased agency oversight. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Increased civil rights oversight provides potential protections for all minority groups under DHS jurisdiction. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Increased civil rights oversight can help ensure protections for people with disabilities interacting with DHS.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Providing more resources to the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer increases departmental accountability. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Better oversight of civil liberties within DHS can enhance due process protections for those interacting with the agency. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal administrative capacity by mandating permanent staff for a DHS officer.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — By providing permanent staff to the DHS Civil Rights Officer, the bill enhances oversight of agency conduct. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Strengthening the civil rights oversight within DHS may help protect racial equity through more effective enforcement of rights.
- 9/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.
- 10 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Lizzie FletcherDemocrat · Texas
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Pablo HernándezDemocrat · Puerto Rico
Timothy KennedyDemocrat · New York
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Eric SwalwellDemocrat · California
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan