Inhofe critical of Obama administration in Benghazi hearing
BY Staff Reports
Thursday, February 07, 2013
WASHINGTON -- The attack on the U.S. consulate at Benghazi, Libya, is an indication of failing U.S. policy in Africa and elsewhere, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe said Thursday.
Speaking at the outset of a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the attack in which four Americans were killed, Inhofe said the Obama administration's decision to shift assets to Asia and the Pacific leaves Africa susceptible to a growing terrorist element.
"Benghazi highlights the strategic risks of this new strategy in places like Africa, risks certain to be magnified by looming defense cuts," said Inhofe, the Armed Services Committee's ranking Republican.
Inhofe also signaled his intention to focus on what he called a "coverup" by the Obama administration of its failure to respond to warnings of potential violence in Benghazi.
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, in his opening statement, said no specific threats against the Benghazi consulate were received prior to the Sept. 11, 2012, attack.
Associated Images:
Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., left, on Capitol Hill in Washington last week. SUSAN WALSH/AP Photo
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