Cole Joins Calls For Benghazi Select Committee

Cole Co-Sponsors Legislation for Benghazi Select Committee

May 13, 2013

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced support of H. Res. 36, legislation that would create a select committee to investigate the Benghazi terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens. Both the supposed preventative actions and responses provided by the State Department and Obama Administration shortly after the September attack are still under scrutiny.

Currently, five different House committees hold jurisdiction in separate aspects of the investigation. This select committee would streamline the process by allowing members of the bipartisan panel to have subpoena power over all the relevant information and key witnesses. With a clear deadline and mission to solve the scandal surrounding Benghazi, this committee would create one definitive report from which to take further action.

“I am pleased to join with Congressman Frank Wolf and a number of my colleagues in support of H. Res. 36,” said Cole. “Eight months after the unthinkable terrorist attack on our consulate in Benghazi, Libya, we are still seeking answers to what happened that night. After all this time, we should have resolved what circumstances led to the murder of four Americans, what was done to prevent the attack and how it was handled and presented by President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton.

“On Wednesday last week, the House Committee on Oversight heard the compelling testimony of three leaders from the State Department who were directly aware of the situation as it unfolded last September. This hearing made great strides in finding more answers and uncovering new developments, but there is still much to be done. Creation of this bipartisan select committee will bring us closer to the truth surrounding the attack.

“This situation cannot be laid to rest or brushed aside any longer. The American people deserve to know the truth, and those involved must be held responsible. We must prevent similar attacks like this from ever happening again.”

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Contact: Sarah Corley