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July 10, 2014

Rep. Schiff Statement on Release of Benghazi Transcripts by Armed Services Committee

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a senior Member of the Intelligence Committee and a member of the Benghazi Select Committee, released the following statement following the publication of transcripts of the depositions of military commanders during the House Armed Services Committee’s investigation into the Benghazi attacks:

"The Armed Services Committee did a thorough investigation into the question of whether military assets were available to rescue Ambassador Stevens and the other personnel under attack in Benghazi, and concluded that there were not. This Republican-led investigation also debunked the conspiracy theory that someone ordered the military to ‘stand down’ or otherwise impeded relief efforts – this was also emphatically not the case. By releasing the transcripts, the public can read the interviews itself and I applaud the committee's decision to increase transparency into what has become a highly politicized issue. 

“It’s my hope that the Select Committee on Benghazi will choose not to tread this same ground, but will focus on more productive areas, such as whether the State Department is implementing the sound recommendations of the Accountability Review Board. This should done in conjunction with the existing committees that are charged with these responsibilities on an ongoing basis. 

“Just because the Select Committee has been given a $3.3 million budget – larger than that of many standing committees – doesn't mean we need to spend it all.  The Select Committee should focus on those areas that have not already been well-trod, like that by the Armed Services Committee here, and only areas where we can add value."