Ruppersberger Releases Statement on Libya

For Immediate Release                                                  Contact:  Heather moeder Molino
October 12, 2011                                                           Office:  (202) 225-7690
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Ruppersberger Releases Statement on Libya

(Washington, DC) – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Ranking Member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement today after a hearing held by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform this week on Libya.   

“I stand with the American people to express my outrage at the terrorist attack that killed Ambassador Stevens and three other Americans in Libya on September 11, 2012.  We must hold those who committed this terrible act accountable and bring them to justice.  I believe we must follow the facts and figure out how this happened and learn from it.  We must also determine what actions need to be taken to prevent this from happening again so we can ensure we are doing all we can to protect Americans serving their country around the world. 

The FBI is currently conducting an investigation that should help answer many of these questions.  In addition, the Intelligence Community will continue to update Members and staff of the Intelligence Committee with what classified information it has learned.

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing this week about the attack in Libya.  Sensitive and potentially classified information was passed around and discussed openly in the hearing room without the proper security review.  Chairman Darrell Issa, who once served on the Intelligence Committee, knows the critical importance of protecting classified information.  It is of great concern when classified information is exposed.  It puts Americans around the world at risk.  

We all want to get to the bottom of what happened, but we need to do it in a way that protects the American people and our sources and methods.  This should not be political.  People’s lives are at stake.”    

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