"Well, I say with great respect, that’s one of the dumbest questions I’ve ever heard," McCain said.

The question came after McCain, along with Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), introduced a resolution to establish a Select Committee to investigate the Benghazi attack, which claimed the lives of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens.

After the reporter interjected with a follow-up question, McCain shot back.

“I’m answering your question," he said. "Do you want me to answer your question or do you want to interrupt? Which do you want?

"There are four dead Americans. The lives of other Americans were put in jeopardy,” McCain continued. “This is a matter of four dead Americans. I think that the other issue raised is very serious, and I think it deserves a thorough and complete investigation — but it does not rise to the level of an attack on an American consulate that took four American lives."