Ruppersberger: 'We'll Be on High Alert'

Rep. C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D-2nd District) said the U.S. government would work diligently to find the person or group responsible for the explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. 

Speaking on WBAL Radio Monday evening, the congressman said he had not been briefed about any suspects, but that law enforcement officials were working to learn if this was a domestic attack or the work of foreign terrorists. 

Ruppersberger serves as the ranking member of the House Select Intelligence Committee. He represents portions of the Severn and Fort Meade area, as well as parts of Baltimore and Harford County.

Here are some excerpts of his interview with WBAL Radio: 

"When we're attacked in the United States of America, we're going to do whatever we can to find out who perpetrated the attack and find out why they did it. We're going to have all of our resources on this.

"The best defense against terrorism is intelligence, so it's important that if anyone sees anything unusual, let authorities know. Unfortunately—and we learned this after 9/11—there are a lot of people who don't like Americans and they want to kill us or attack us, and we have to stand up to that.

"We can't rush to judgement but we now have some of the best in the world trying to find out what occurred ... and to make sure we bring these people to justice and also prevent future attacks. That's why we'll be on high alert.

"There are no suspects, based on what I have been briefed on. We're making a determination as to whether or not this was a domestic situation like the Oklahoma [City] bombing or whether it's an international incident."

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