Reply from U.S. Senator Pat Toomey RE: Benghazi

March 8, 2013

Thank you for contacting me about the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya and the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, as well as other anti-American activities in the Middle East and North Africa. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you know, Muslim extremists attacked U.S. diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt on the anniversary of September 11th. In Libya, an armed mob attacked the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi and killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens along with three other Americans. In Egypt, protestors breached the embassy walls in Cairo and tore down the U.S. flag. Additionally, there have been violent anti-American protests at other U.S. diplomatic missions in the Middle East and North Africa. In the days shortly following the Benghazi attack, Obama administration officials inaccurately portrayed the event to the American people by stating that it was motivated by a controversial YouTube video and that it stemmed from a protest outside the consulate. It was later revealed that the consulate had been the target of a deliberate terrorist attack.

First and foremost, I strongly condemn these violent attacks and protests targeting our diplomatic posts and am outraged by the killing of Americans in Libya. As an envoy to the Libyan rebels in 2011, Ambassador Stevens represented the best of America as he worked to bring peace and freedom to the Libyan people. I join with all Americans in extending my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of Ambassador Stevens and the three other Americans killed in this deplorable act. The extremists who perpetrated these brutal crimes must be swiftly brought to justice. Additionally, I am deeply concerned by the administration's erroneous reporting of the events surrounding the attack and the apparent vulnerability of our diplomatic mission in Benghazi.Congress must reevaluate the security of our overseas diplomats and their facilities as well as investigate whether these attacks could have been prevented. I therefore have asked the Department of State for information about the security measures undertaken to protect U.S. missions and their personnel in all nations affected by violent anti-American activities. In addition, I cosponsored a bill (S. 3551) introduced by Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) in the 112th Congress requiring an investigation and report on the attack on the consulate in Benghazi and other U.S. diplomatic missions globally. Among other requirements, the report was to include an accounting of the events that occurred on September 11, 2012, information on whether the U.S. government had actionable intelligence before the attacks and an assessment of the state of security at U.S. diplomatic missions globally. Further the report was to provide recommended changes to security procedures at our embassies and consulates.

As you may know, Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) also introduced a bill (S. 3576) in the 112th Congress which would have ended U.S. foreign assistance to Libya, Egypt, Pakistan, and any country that fails to protect U.S. diplomatic facilities from attack. On September 22, 2012, I voted for this measure which was unfortunately defeated by a vote of 10-81. Although Senator Paul's legislation was not perfect, I supported it because we need to send a message to countries receiving U.S. foreign aid that American assistance comes with responsibilities. As I continue working with my Senate colleagues on this issue, please be assured that I value your input and will keep your thoughts in mind.

Thank you again for your correspondence. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,
 

Pat Toomey
U.S. Senator, Pennsylvania