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A fire burns at the U.S. consulate in Benghazi last month.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has scheduled a fairly high-profile hearing today on security lapses at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. There's one nagging problem, however, that might cause Republicans some trouble.
For example, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), a member of Issa's committee, told Soledad O'Brien this morning that he expects to hear testimony about security that "didn't meet the basic, minimum standards required for a facility such as the one we had in Benghazi." Chaffetz added that policymakers have to "make sure it doesn't happen in other places around the world."
Asked if he'd voted to cut federal funding for security at U.S. embassies and consulates, Chaffetz responded, "Absolutely. Look we have to make priorities and choices in this country.... When you're in tough economic times, you have to make difficult choices. You have to prioritize things."
Hmm. Those "priorities" apparently don't include security at U.S. diplomatic outposts abroad.
Dana Milbank picked up on the same problem: inadequate diplomatic security is the direct result of Republican budget cuts.
For fiscal 2013, the GOP-controlled House proposed spending $1.934 billion for the State Department's Worldwide Security Protection program -- well below the $2.15 billion requested by the Obama administration. House Republicans cut the administration's request for embassy security funding by $128 million in fiscal 2011 and $331 million in fiscal 2012. (Negotiations with the Democrat-controlled Senate restored about $88 million of the administration's request.) Last year, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that Republicans' proposed cuts to her department would be "detrimental to America's national security" -- a charge Republicans rejected.
Ryan, Issa and other House Republicans voted for an amendment in 2009 to cut $1.2 billion from State operations, including funds for 300 more diplomatic security positions. Under Ryan's budget, non-defense discretionary spending, which includes State Department funding, would be slashed nearly 20 percent in 2014, which would translate to more than $400 million in additional cuts to embassy security.
A little something to keep in mind during Issa's pre-election p.r. stunt on Capitol Hill today -- and when Romney/Ryan tries to use this to their advantage.
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Ambassador Stephens was a career diplomat. He, for whatever reason,( might never be known ) made the choice to drive to Benghazi that day, instead of staying in Tripoli. He CHOSE to go to Benghazi. None of the diplomats at our embassies call in to the state dept. and give them an inteniary for the day. The UK Ambassador doesn't , the Hong Kong ambassador does not, the Brazil ambassador does not and so on. I think that Pres. Obama and Ms.Clinton were right to wait until they determined the facts. How could they know he was in Benghazi and why was he there? That is the delay, trying to determine the facts. Of course the knee jerk reaction would be it is a terrorist incident. ( robme's knee jerk political statement) But as the President and as the Head of the State Dept., you don't have the luxury of jumping to conclusions. The rethugs trying to make political gains over Pres.Obama is contemptible. Would these rethugs have us close every diplomatic mission /embassy in the world and bring all the diplomats home? Then what? No plan or idea, I am sure.
No, actually the initial reaction by the State Department was to issue an apology for the video and that it was not a produced by the US government. Romney came out immediately and criticized the Admin for apologizing and was roundly lambasted by left. Turns out that Romney's initial reaction was correct. Now that we know the facts, The State Department has now said that the Benghazi attack was not due to the youtube video and was a planned terrorist attack on the anniversary of 9/11.
Hank
I advise you to seek help. You seem to have a problem with putting things in chronological order. The statement that the Cairo embassy issued was before the riots broke out not after. It was meant to deter the riots not to apologise. BTW Why on earth do you hang around here? I have never gone onto Conservative sites to post. Not ever. I personally have better things to do with my time. Why don't you?
Chaffetz just outed the republican mass hysteria and manufactured outage over these attacks. They don't care about the security, they never have. Reublicans only concern is politicizing these attacks for political before the election much like used the 911 during the Bush years. Chaffetz can't criticize the lack of security when he proudly voted against funding to keep this embassy safe. Sadly the democrats will never call them out on their manufactured bull @!$%#.
is Obam and Biden paying attention to this
The GOP wants a Cadillac country on a Chevrolet budget.
Yes, that's called a Honda.
"Ryan, Issa and other House Republicans voted for an amendment in 2009 to cut $1.2 billion from State operations, including funds for 300 more diplomatic security positions."
Ummm, which party controlled the House in 2009?
Ambassador Stevens is not dead because of Republican budget cuts. In fact the budget that funded the security for the consulate was voted on by a majority of democrats 149 and 147 republicans voted for the budget. In today's Issa hearing, despite the killing of 4 Americans at the Benghazi Consulate, Charlene Lamb said, "We had the correct number of assets in Benghazi at the time of 9/11, the State Department official who made the call to reject a series of requests for extra security help.
The reason Rice and the admin kept the youtube video story alive was to either cover-up the Admin's complete misread of the how dangerous the situation was on the ground in Libya or complete incompetence by this Administration. Either way, this President needs to be fired and we need the Change we all have been Hoping for.
"Ryan, Issa and other House Republicans voted for an amendment in 2009 to cut $1.2 billion from State operations, including funds for 300 more diplomatic security positions."
I'm sure they must have overlooked that the Republicans did not control the House in 2009.
Amendments aren't passed alone, they have to be attached to some other piece of legislation. Why don't you go look up what the piece of legislation was that this amendment was attached to and get back to us?
There's a good troll...
you people are so idiotic we are 16 trillion in debt I say cut all spending that is not crutial to the running of the goverment like pbs and the oil companies and the green waste of money obama keeps losing money in and if you read the article it said obama wanted 2.15 million in cuts and the house did 1.9 so the republicans cut less then what the president wanted and lets not forget that libya is obamas baby he started the liberation you think he would finish the job so you liberals get your head out your asses cause we are heading to a greece like state and ill be waiting for you liberals to start protesting when the federal goverment is forced to cut programs instead of fixing the @!$%# now..its going to happen and then you will cry foul again..
There's chicken little again, running around in circles...
Steve Benen, author of the above article, I shall address you directly. You may now post your correction. See the House Oversight Committee on C-Span here at 3:35:35 http://www.c-span.org/Events/Congress-Holds-First-Hearing-on-US-Consulate-Attack-in-Libya/10737434835-1/ .
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Transcript:
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.): "Mrs Lamb, you made this decision personally, was there any budget consideration, or lack of budget, that allowed you not to increase the people in the security force there"
Response: "No Sir."
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Now, Mr. Benen, quit telling lies to the American People!
OTHER ADDITIONAL BACKGROUDN INFORMATION LINKS. THIS IS OF COURSE A HISTORICAL EVENT- 11 YRS AFTER 9-11-2001..
TEA PARTY VS HILLARY 2016. THE OPENING SALVO- IT IS SOOO ON! TEA PARTY WITCH HUNT ( Joe McCarthy's ghost is alive and well , and haunting the halls of Congress)- I watched this hearing. Dennis Kucinich had some very interesting remarks. the
hearing was little about fact finding, ; what happened( theres a 50 minute video of the incident floating around DC)- and little about problem solving. Rachel maddows show called it "Grandstanding". I believe it was an assassination , not a terrorist attack( because the victims were govt officials, waist deep inthings- not ininvilved citizens. a tregedy, a breakdown in the system. The best conclusions were that due to budget cuts by the tea party, the Embassy security services didnt have the resources to deploy a more robust security force; the facility was undefendable( fort apache in indian country)- and provokes a discussion about what policies and construction needs to be in place to prevent incidents from happening again. Its a very dangerous job( i bet you were apprehensive in Bosnia, as a younger woman?)- I watched C-span over the weekend- the VP debates from the past- and geraldine ferraro, among others said that embassy /attacks on diplomats/ symbols of the USA overseas are unpredictable; and next to impossible to defend against every conceivable possibility from so-called terrorist attacks. anyway- heres the link. http://www.c-span.org/Events/Congress-Holds-First-Hearing-on-US-Consulate-Attack-in-Libya/10737434835/
Congress Holds First Hearing on U.S. Consulate Attack in Libya
www.c-span.org
<p>Congress' highest ranking investigative committee holds it's first hearing on the American Consulate attack in Benghazi, Libya. Top State Department officials in that region will testify.</p>
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David Christopher Roach THIS IS THE OPENING SALVO BY THE TEA PARTY REPUBLICANS TO SMEAR THE HILARY CLINTON FOR PRESIDENT 2016 CAMPAIGN AS WELL - they are getting a head start; and they are looking to be as ruthless, and unscrupulous win at all costs- as billa nd Hilary endured in the 90's.. I hope Madame secretary Clinton gives them hell( harry).. they better be careful poking tea sticks into the cage- they are sure to get mauled. I pity the tea party congressman who p--ss off your mom. they are sure to be TOAST!! of course- that would be great to see on TV- as she shreds those idiots.. tee hee!
15 minutes ago · Like
Congress Holds First Hearing on U.S. Consulate Attack in Libya
www.c-span.org
<p>Congress' highest ranking investigative committee holds it's first hearing on the American Consulate attack in Benghazi, Libya. Top State Department officials in that region will testify.</p>
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David Christopher Roach RELATED LINKS: http://www.c-span.org/Events/Jay-Carney-Meets-with-WH-Press/10737434872/
Jay Carney Meets with WH Press
www.c-span.org
<p>White House Press Secretary Jay Carney meets with members of the press at the...See More
3 minutes ago · Like · Remove Preview
David Christopher Roach http://www.state.gov/m/rls/remarks/2012/188016.htm
On-The-Record Briefing by Under Secretary Kennedy
www.state.gov
Home»Under Secretary for Management»From the Under Secretary»Remarks»2012»On-The- Record Briefing by Under Secretary Kennedy
3 minutes ago · Like · Remove Preview
David Christopher Roach http://www.c-span.org/Events/State-Department-Daily-Briefing/10737434925/
State Department Daily Briefing
www.c-span.org
<p>At the daily State Department press briefing, Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland ann...See More
one of the govt oversight tea party committe members-( one from florida- towards he end- gave a very loud, vocal tirade, in particular- about how they were shocked! shocked! that the administration would tell lies, and people would get killed"( so we should maybe prosecute the bush cheney rove rumsfeld cabal for lying to the american people about IRAQ? AND WMD'S? as MITT ROMNEY recently said- " whats good for the goose.."? AND THERE WAS SOME QUESTIONING BY JEFFY CHAFFETZ vs the LT COL( WHATS HIS NAME?) THAT REMINDED ME OF TOM CRUISE AND JACK NICHOLSON IN A FEW GOOD MEN. you want the truth? you cant handle the truth.. very amusing to watch the tea party peacock crow, and strut.. amusing indeed- if it wasnt so shallow and pathetic. when the GOP is equally to blame- theres plenty to go around. but I know in my heart that HILLARY CLINTON is running as tight a ship; and as highly disciplined, and organized as any secretary of state/ state department in recent history; and particularly in close cooperation with the DOD; and President Obama. PARTING SHOT? oSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD; MOAMMER QADDAFFI IS DEAD. GM IS ALIVE. (BLACK POWER!!? Tee hee?)
RE: THOSE THE EMBASSY FUNDING CUTS MADE UNDER PAUL RYAN'S LEADERSHIP AS GOP HOUSE BUDGET CHAIR:
Some BOZOS are saying the GOP is excused of any blame for their cuts to embassy security because, rather than the GOP's funding cuts, a "continuing resolution" was in effect at the time of the attack.
So what?
REMEMBER, the GOP and FOX have been in an uproar because a request for ADDITIONAL funding for consulate security was denied.
Well, duh, under a "continuing resolution" federal funding of programs may only continue at CURRENT or REDUCED LEVELS.
INCREASED FUNDING was not an option under a "continuing resolution".
One thing that is not getting enough attention about this whole issue and that is what the people of Bengazi did a few days after the attack on our embassy. They rose up and drove the armed militia out of town. The Libyans are trying very hard to create a responsible Islamic democratic state. We will never defeat the Islamic extremists with guns. We have made inroads with out drones, but this is war of ideas, just as it was with communism. When the people of the Middle East and elsewhere decide that the terrorists are a threat to THEM, they will drive them out. We can help them do that, but we cannot kill all the terrorists.
The Time Magazine had a good article a few weeks ago about what is happening in Yemen. The Yemenis are fighting back against Al Quada and the Americans are helping them with drone attacks. We win influence with the people of Yemen when they see us as helping them and not as them helping us.
The people of Libya know that we helped them and they saw Ambassador Stevens as their friend. They were the first to say that the attack on our consulate was the act of an outside group of terrorists, because they want us to stay and help them develop their democracy.
The Republicans and their neo-con advisors do the U.S. no service by blustering about these complex and sensitive issues. Diplomacy is a delicate business.
It's always the GOP who is head hunting the President. Now Benghazi is never there problem, even after they admit they CUT funding..even after Chavetz told everyone he voted to CUT the money for embassy protection! Some how..it's OBAMA's fault. I have a new break for you. IT"S NOT DISNEY LAND OVER THERE!!
We are over there because of President BUSH!! He made the mess and then RAN!!.or in this case resigned. HIS POOR decisions w/ Rummy and Cheney and the entire Middle East is why we are hated!!!
www.theledgeradioshow.com
No one tells you that GOP help congress de-funded the money for embassy security, thus we were short handed. Of course they blame the DEMS. Typical GOP BS.
Just go to you tube and watch Jason Chaffetz admit it!!
What a joke