Senators McCaskill and Blunt agree on one thing when it comes to the attack on Benghazi on September 11th of last year… the hearing involves a lot of politics and finger pointing.
McCaskill says House Republicans have been tight lipped in talking about what’s expected as hearings into the attacks on the embassy compounds in Benghazi begin, leaking details to the press but keeping details from their Democrat counterparts on the oversight committee.
Senator Blunt says the Obama administration tried to cover up the fact that it was an orchestrated attack. Republicans on the committee are focusing on U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, who insisted the attack was the result of a spontaneous demonstration over an anti-Islam film that suddenly turned violent, killing four Americans.
U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens was among four Americans killed during the attack on the diplomatic compound on September 11, 2012 in Benghazi, Libya. Stevens spoke to his deputy, Gregory Hicks, moments before he was killed. Hicks testified at today’s hearing, saying the anti-Muslim YouTube video was a “non-event” in Libya.
McCaskill says Republicans are quick to criticize actions taken before and after the attack, but still refuse to bolster funding to put more securities in place to prevent future incidents. She says House Republicans instead have proposed cutting funds to the State Department, when more resources are needed, especially in areas like Africa and the Middle East.
Democrats accuse Republicans of using the tragic killings for political gain, but Republicans accuse Democrats of not talking about the incident until right after the November election.
In addition to hearing testimony by Hicks, committee members also questioned Eric Nordstrom, a former regional security officer in Libya, and Mark Thompson, the State Department’s acting deputy assistant secretary for counterterrorism.
AUDIO:Â Jessica Machetta reports (1:14)
