House Establishes Select Committee for Benghazi Investigation

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the House supported H. Res. 567, Establishment of the Select Committee on the Events Surrounding Benghazi. This resolution comes after last week’s discovery of White House emails that revealed the Administration’s role in purposefully misreporting the cause of the attack to the American people.

Appointed by Speaker John Boehner, Congressman Trey Gowdy (SC-04), who is a former prosecutor, will serve as chairman of this select committee. The committee’s mission will be to investigate the September 11, 2012 terrorist attack that claimed the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens. Currently, five different House committees hold jurisdiction in areas related to the investigation, but this bipartisan panel will provide subpoena power over all the relevant information and key witnesses.

“Nearly two years after the terrorist attack on our consulate in Benghazi, Americans still mourn the loss of four innocent Americans,” said Cole. “In light of the recent White House emails, it is more important than ever that we find answers about what really happened and demand accountability of those involved in covering up known facts. This is necessary not only for the families of the victims, who desperately need closure about their loved ones, but we owe truth to the entire nation regardless of how much time has gone by.

“While we have already made progress in solving the tragedy through the tireless work of several House committees, there is still much that we do not know. Through the dogged leadership of Congressman Gowdy, I am confident that we can get to the bottom of the situation and uncover critical evidence, even if it’s politically inconvenient for the Administration.”

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Contact:Sarah Corley (202) 225-6165