Dutch's Committees

Intelligence

Congressman Ruppersberger was the first Democratic freshman ever to be appointed to the House Select Committee on Intelligence. The committee oversees the collection and analysis of intelligence information from all around the world to ensure our national security and prevent potential crisis situations — especially terrorist activity. 

It is important for the nation to have a robust intelligence capability and to have an effective oversight process to ensure that intelligence resources are not misused. Intelligence operations and law enforcement activities are governed by laws which are not in all cases the same. Ensuring that these laws are followed is a key component of Congress' oversight responsibilities and was the primary reason for the creation of the congressional intelligence committees. The sensitive nature of intelligence requires that its budget receive extra Congressional scrutiny.

Congressman Ruppersberger is Chairman of the Technical and Tactical Intelligence Subcommittee. He also serves on the Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Analysis, and Counterintelligence Subcommittee and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

Appropriations

Congressman Ruppersberger serves on the prestigious Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for drafting all spending bills for Congress.  The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the “power of the purse.” Through the appropriations process, Congress determines spending levels for all other federal government departments including agriculture, defense, energy and water, foreign operations, homeland security, the environment, labor, health and human services, military, science, and transportation.

The Appropriations Committee also conducts oversight hearings to ensure that taxpayer money is being spent appropriately. Congressman Ruppersberger serves on the Homeland Security, Commerce Justice and Science, and Legislative Branch subcommittees.