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Lieberman asks State, DOD for documents in Libya investigation
Amid numerous Republican demands for information from the White House over the Benghazi attack, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) is also seeking answers from the Obama administration over the security failures in Libya.
Lieberman, who announced his Senate Homeland Security investigation into the attack last week, sent letters Friday to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper requesting documents and briefings relating to the Benghazi attack and diplomatic security.
In announcing the investigation last week, Lieberman touted it as a “bipartisan inquiry” supported by both him and ranking member Susan Collins (R-Maine).
The Senate investigation after Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight Committee, held a hearing on the Libya attack last week in which he grilled State Department staffers. The hearing drew complaints from Democrats for being partisan.
Other Republicans have also sought answers from the Obama administration on Libya. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) requested information last week from Clapper, Brennan and CIA Director David Petraeus about the attack.
They sent new letters on Friday “renewing” their request.
“Your lack of response is inhibiting our ability to perform our duties on behalf of our fellow citizens,” they said. “We therefore continue to seek answers to our questions and expect a reply as soon as possible.”
Libya has become part of the presidential campaign, with Republicans hammering Obama for the administration’s response to the attack, which shifted from saying it was related to an anti-Islamic video posted online to being a planned terrorist attack.
While Republicans are demanding responses now, Lieberman requests a “complete response” by Nov. 9, three days after the election.
