The House approves the GOP's new Benghazi inquiry

US House of Representatives

The House approves the GOP's new Benghazi inquiry
(Image credit: US House of Representatives)

On Thursday evening, the House voted to open a new investigation on the "events surrounding the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi." Seven Democrats voted with 225 Republicans in favor of launching the select committee, while 186 Democrats voted against it. The committee will be helmed by Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), a former prosecutor. This will be the eighth investigation into the Benghazi attack, which killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three U.S. security personnel.

Democrats are trying to decide if they will participate in what most of them consider political theater, and if so, how much. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) is suggesting that her caucus appoint just one Democrat to the panel, The Huffington Post reports, allowing a symbolic boycott of the proceedings while maintaining "Democratic access to committee proceedings and material," letting the lone Democrat "question witnesses, monitor the House Majority's activities and provide a powerful voice to raise issues and make appropriate public comments."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.