C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger: “I'd like to address this important issue--accountability. All of us in government service have an obligation to be…”

“I'd like to address this important issue--accountability. All of us in government service have an obligation to be accountable for our actions and we all take an oath to follow the laws of this country. Unfortunately, it appears the Vice President believes he should be held to some different standard that applies only to him. The news that the Vice President has advanced a legal argument that he is not a part of the executive branch and not a part of the legislative branch but has some special status which means he does not have to comply with Executive Orders or the law in safeguarding classified material is nothing less than shocking. As a member of the House Intelligence Committee I can report to my colleagues that if we stand by and allow the Office of the Vice President to exempt itself from the same rules that apply to any employee in our intelligence services, we will deal a serious blow to the morale of these patriotic Americans defending our country. I will therefore support every measure in this Financial Services Subcommittee bill, at every step in the process as it becomes law to compel the Vice President to follow the law of the land. The Vice President should be leading by example. He should be setting the highest standards of conduct and accountability.”