Intelligence
Good intelligence is the best defense against terrorism.
- Congressman C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger
As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Chairman of the Technical and Tactical Subcommittee, Congressman Ruppersberger is working to secure our cyber networks, modernize export controls and prepare the next generation:
- Working on a comprehensive plan to keep our computer networks safe from cyber attacks and advocated for a cabinet-level leadership in the area of cybersecurity
- Strongly supported a new military Cyber Command that will defend networks against computer attacks and develop offensive cyber weapons
- Helping to create smarter export controls to increase the ability of U.S. satellite companies to compete globally
- Advocates creating more science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) schools in Maryland and around the country
Congressman Ruppersberger believes collecting critical intelligence can be accomplished while supporting and maintaining human rights and civil liberties:
- Supports the Army field manual interrogation techniques and opposes the use of torture, which could provoke the torture of American troops in retaliation
- Supported mandated sunsets in the reauthorization of the Patriot Act as well as clarification that the government cannot perform warrantless wiretaps on American citizens on U.S. soil
As part of his official duties on the Intelligence Committee, Congressman Ruppersberger has traveled to countries including Libya, Yemen, Iraq and Afghanistan. He believes a strong strategy should be implemented to combat terrorism abroad:
- Believes a sustained, targeted campaign is essential in Afghanistan to combat the Taliban and lawlessness in tribal areas along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan
- Continues to support benchmarks and a measured troop withdrawal from Iraq
- Supports increased funding for our strategic foreign allies as well as money for the U.S. State Department to increase the number of foreign aid workers, civilian experts and diplomats
- Advocates for resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and supports Middle East Peace as well as the Administration’s special envoy to the Middle East
