Benghazi Attacks

The Committee held a hearing on May 8, 2013, entitled, "Benghazi: Exposing Failure and Recognizing Courage." Not only did the testimony of three State Department officials-Mark Thompson, Eric Nordstrom, and Gregory Hicks- provide important information to Committee Members about the fateful attacks, it raised additional questions about the attacks as well as the ARB's work. In light of these questions, the Committee initiated a comprehensive investigation of the ARB procedures, findings, and recommendations. Understanding how the ARB reached its conclusions informs the Committee's interest in ensuring that this process remains efficient and effective, and that U.S. diplomats are able to avoid situations that compromise their safety or their mission. This effort supplements and informs the Committee's ongoing, independent evaluation of the facts and circumstances of what transpired before, during, and after the attacks on Benghazi.