Statement from Congressman Ruppersberger On the Resignation of Porter Goss,
the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency

“I worked alongside Porter Goss while he was Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in Congress before he became Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.  Before that, Porter Goss served his country well in the U.S. Army and in the CIA.  Director Goss is a great American who worked to make our country a better place.  I wish him well in retirement.

Good intelligence is our best defense against terrorism.  Fighting terrorism is one of my top priorities.  The men and women at the CIA are patriotic Americans risking their lives around the world collecting critical intelligence to protect our country.  I have been concerned that in the past year and a half workers with more than 300 years of combined experience have been pushed out or walked away from the CIA.    

Workers at the CIA and the citizens of our country deserve a strong leader.  The new CIA Director needs to be someone who is non-partisan and puts the safety of our country first; someone who can analyze the facts as they come into the CIA and relay them to President so he can make decisions; someone who can bring the team together and motivate the workers at the CIA for the future of our country; someone who can work together with other agencies in the intelligence community to keep us safe.” 

Congressman Ruppersberger is a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

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