Democrats, Republicans spar over Benghazi investigation
WASHINGTON - A special House committee investigating the deadly 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, began last year with promises of bipartisanship and cooperation. Eight months later, the panel has devolved into finger pointing and accusations of political grandstanding and power plays.
As the panel holds its third public hearing Tuesday, Democrats complain that the panel's Republican chairman has excluded them from crucial steps in the investigation, while Republicans say Democrats are playing politics.
In a strongly worded letter, Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the panel's top Democrat, said the panel's chairman, Republican Rep. Trey Gowdy has used different standards for Republicans and Democrats and has held secret meetings with witnesses from the State Department and other agencies.
Gowdy said in response late Monday that he has the authority to unilaterally subpoena witnesses, but he promised to give Democrats a week's notice before issuing such a subpoena.
