Press Releases
Ranking Member Ruppersberger Statement on President’s Recommended Changes to NSA Programs
Washington, DC,
January 17, 2014
For Immediate Release Contact: Allison Getty Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Ranking Member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement: “The President has made a number of recommendations for reforming the National Security Agency’s (NSA’s) terror-fighting programs. These programs were developed after the tragic events of 9/11 in an effort to provide our Intelligence Community with the most effective array of tools to protect American lives from future terrorist attacks. As Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am constantly reviewing Intelligence Community (IC) programs. Since the leaks, I have been working with my colleagues to evaluate these programs to determine how we can increase transparency. It is important to point out that while the leaks have revealed no domestic illegality, they have greatly damaged the public’s trust in our national security programs. Even though many believe the programs are too far-reaching, no wrong-doing was uncovered. The men and women who serve at NSA are patriots. I agree with many of the President’s recommendations for reform. I believe the solution to regaining the public’s trust will center on strengthening oversight, promoting transparency and safeguarding Americans’ civil liberties. These are not mutually exclusive goals – privacy and security can and must be protected simultaneously. The House Intelligence Committee has been evaluating a number of ways to do so, including changing Section 215 of the Patriot Act. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to protect national security as well as privacy.” ### To unsubscribe/ subscribe to Democratic Committee email updates, click here to update your preferences. |