Dutch Ruppersberger

Dutch Ruppersberger is an American politician and attorney serving as the U.S. Representative for Maryland's 2nd congressional district since 2003. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the Baltimore County Executive from 1994 to 2002. Throughout his tenure in the United States Congress, he has been a prominent member of the House Appropriations Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he served as the ranking Democrat and later vice chair.

Early life and education

Charles Albert "Dutch" Ruppersberger III was born on January 31, 1946, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was raised in the Roland Park neighborhood and attended the Baltimore City College high school. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in government from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1968. Following his undergraduate studies, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1970 to 1976, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He subsequently received his Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 1973 and was admitted to the Maryland Bar Association.

Early career

Before entering electoral politics, Ruppersberger worked as a prosecutor in the Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office, trying cases involving violent crime and narcotics. His legal career and community involvement led to his election to the Baltimore County Council in 1985, where he represented the Third District. During his time on the council, he focused on issues of economic development and public safety in communities like Towson and Pikesville. His work on the council established his reputation as a pragmatic Democrat, paving the way for his successful 1994 campaign for Baltimore County Executive.

U.S. House of Representatives

Ruppersberger was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2002, succeeding Republican Robert Ehrlich, who was elected Governor of Maryland. He has represented Maryland's 2nd congressional district, which encompasses parts of Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, and a small portion of the City of Baltimore. He has been re-elected consistently, often by wide margins. A key moment in his congressional service was his appointment to the House Intelligence Committee in 2005, where he later served as the ranking Democrat from 2011 to 2015 and as vice chair from 2019 to 2023. He also secured a coveted seat on the House Appropriations Committee in 2013, serving on the Defense Subcommittee and the Homeland Security Subcommittee.

Political positions and legislation

Ruppersberger is considered a New Democrat and a moderate, with a legislative focus on national security, cybersecurity, and supporting the Department of Defense and intelligence community. He co-authored the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act and has been a strong advocate for Fort George G. Meade and the National Security Agency, major employers in his district. He played a significant role in the passage of the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. On domestic policy, he has supported investments in infrastructure, including the Port of Baltimore, and funding for the Chesapeake Bay Program. He voted for the Affordable Care Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, but has also broken with his party on some fiscal and regulatory issues.

Personal life

Ruppersberger resides in Cockeysville with his wife, Kay, whom he married in 1970. They have two adult children. He is an active member of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore and has been involved with numerous civic organizations, including the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. An avid sports fan, he regularly attends games of the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles. Category:1946 births Category:American military personnel Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives Category:Living people Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland Category:Politicians from Baltimore