Smith Votes to Advance IRS, Benghazi Investigations

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today voted to form a select committee to investigate the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya which left four Americans dead, including U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens. Smith has consistently supported the House’s investigation to find out what happened, and bring those responsible for this attack to justice. Today’s vote was the first in the House of Representatives to form a select committee to investigate the Benghazi attack.

The House also acted to advance the investigation into the Internal Revenue Services’ (IRS) targeting of conservative groups because of their political beliefs. Last night, Smith joined a bipartisan majority of his House colleagues in voting to hold former IRS official Lois Lerner in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a Congressional subpoena. Smith also supported a resolution calling on the Department of Justice to designate a special counsel to investigate the IRS case.

“The American people are concerned four of their countrymen were killed in Benghazi, and the IRS would target certain groups because of their beliefs,” said Smith. “We need more cooperation from the Obama Administration to uncover all of the facts surrounding these two cases. As we move forward, I hope all sides will work together objectively and transparently to conduct these investigations.”