Earlier this week, Congressman Frank Wolf called on Speaker Boehner to establish a Select Committee to investigate the September 11th terrorist attack in Benghazi. The attack resulted in the death of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and his aide Sean Smith, as well as ex-Navy seals, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, who sought to protect the ambassador.
Wolf wrote:
“The Congress has an obligation to fully investigate this attack in order to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities as it does its legislative work, particularly when it comes to national security and defending the homeland. … Basic questions remain unanswered, and when additional information has been released, much of it has been through the media. The White House has repeatedly canceled scheduled briefings and, to date, has not provided the chairmen of national security committees and subcommittees that wrote the president on September 25 the additional information requested regarding the attack and the administration’s response.”
Wolf suggested the committee should be comprised of the chairmen and ranking members of the committees on Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, Judiciary and Government Reform and Oversight, with other members appointed by House leaders based on expertise. A bicameral select committee would prevent overlap of investigations and hearings, and would have full subpoena authority, he said.
“Too many questions remain surrounding the Benghazi attack and response,” Wolf concluded in his letter. “The Congress owes it to the families of the victims of this terrorist attack, and the American people, to fully investigate this tragedy.”
See full letter here.
