In the lead-up to Hillary Clinton and Huma Abedin’s appearances before the Benghazi Committee, Kevin McCarthy and Richard Hanna—two House Republicans—have both confirmed that the Committee’s investigation is nothing more than a political farce designed to hurt Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
It’s tragic but unsurprising that every GOP member of the Benghazi Committee has used their power to peddle in partisan smear campaigns and conspiracy theories—hiding facts and using partisan tactics to politicize the tragedy in Benghazi, as well as the Iran Nuclear Agreement, Planned Parenthood, Obamacare and a host of other issues.
The Benghazi committee Republicans abuse of power and misuse of taxpayer funds run deep. With so much at stake in 2016, the American people deserve better than partisan hackery with no basis in the facts.
Trey Gowdy – SC
Pushed GOP Conspiracies About Benghazi
Gowdy Said Administration Was Hiding Facts on Benghazi
Trey Gowdy accused the administration from “trying to keep you from finding out what happened.” “So Benghazi kinda undercuts that,’ Gowdy said, ‘And then you throw in the fact that your government, in an orchestrated fashion, is trying to keep you from finding out what happened, it makes for a great, you would think, media story. … I mean it’s been what over eight months, and finally you mentioned ABC, The New York Times figured out how to spell Benghazi. That’s great.” [Daily Caller, 5/22/13]
Trey Gowdy: There is no question “that there was a concerted effort shortly after Benghazi to protect the President’s re-election bid, and right now there’s a concerted effort to insulate and protect Secretary Clinton.” “GOWDY: Oh, there is no question. Anyone sitting in that committee room today would draw that same conclusion, that there was a concerted effort shortly after Benghazi to protect the President’s re-election bid, and right now there’s a concerted effort to insulate and protect Secretary Clinton. For once, Congress did its job today. It’s our job to provide oversight. There’s no statute of limitations when it comes to the truth, and the least we can do for our four murdered fellow Americans who were serving on our steed under our flag is to find out exactly what happened. And we took a big step today. But, Sean, today is just one step. We need to have more hearings with more firsthand eyewitness accounts.” [Fox News’ Hannity, 5/8/13]
Gowdy Accused Administration of Manipulating Talking Points to Protect Administration
Trey Gowdy: “Every change that Mike Morell made to the talking points sanitized or immunized the administration from criticism.” “Well, the memo [by Ben Rhodes], I think, is evidence of a cover-up. But Joe, you also have to keep in mind, every change that Mike Morell made to the talking points sanitized or immunized the administration from criticism. I mean, initially the first talking points were critical of the State Department for missing every sign and signal in Libya of escalating violence. He took all of that out of the talking points. He’s the one who inserted ‘spontaneous reaction’ or a protest, despite the fact that the station chief and Greg Hooks (sic) — Greg Hicks — says that’s not true.” [MSNBC’s Morning Joe, 5/7/14]
Gowdy Referred To The Select Committee As “A Trial”
Trey Gowdy said if the “administration is slow-walking document production, I can’t end a trial simply because the defense won’t cooperate.” MR. SCARBOROUGH: “Hey, Trey, one final question. Yesterday some people were bringing up around the set concerns that you could have a committee that could have one subpoena after another subpoena going out all the way through 2016, going after Hillary Clinton, going into the election campaign. Do you think there should be a limit on how long the subpoena power should be for the committee, a limit to the scope, so people don’t say, hey, you Republicans, you’re just doing this to go after Hillary?” REP. GOWDY: “Well, part of the answer to that depends upon how compliant the administration is with our subpoena. It would be shame on us if we intentionally drug this out for political expediency. On the other hand, if an administration is slow-walking document production, I can’t end a trial simply because the defense won’t cooperate.” [MSNBC’s Morning Joe, 5/7/14]
Gowdy Said He Could Hold Benghazi Hearings “Until The Lord Comes Back”
Trey Gowdy said he was willing to hold committee hearings on Benghazi “until the Lord comes back.” The following exchange took place on Fox Business: DOBBS: “The idea that the — that these gentlemen sitting there as the leaders of our intelligence community would not be willing to put forward a transparent, direct and candid statement to those committees — that’s deeply troubling, isn’t it?” GOWDY: “It is when you — when you live in an open, free society and an administration claims to be the most transparent since the earth cooled. We’re going to find out, Lou, what happened in Benghazi with or without the voluntary help of the people who have knowledge. We’re going to find out, and we’ll have committee hearings until the Lord comes back, if that’s what it takes!” [Fox Business, 11/15/12]
Trey Gowdy: “I’m ready to send depositions to Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, Cheryl Mills and Patrick Kennedy.” VAN SUSTEREN: “It’s extraordinary. Are we going to get some hearings on this or anything coming up? We only have 20 seconds left but what’s next.” GOWDY: “Yes, ma’am. We are doing depositions which regrettably your viewers don’t have the benefit of it. I’m ready to send depositions to Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, Cheryl Mills and Patrick Kennedy. I’m ready to take their depositions and ready to send interrogatories to the president. Some of my colleagues are about their wit’s end when it comes to this Benghazi investigation.” [Fox News, 1/10/14; Video]
Gowdy Supported Blocking Nominees over Benghazi Witness Availability
Trey Gowdy stood with Lindsey Graham in calling for future nominees to be blocked until more witnesses are interviewed in Benghazi investigations. “Five more Republicans, including Rep. Trey Gowdy, announced support Wednesday for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s plan to block presidential nominees until more witnesses to the 2012 Benghazi terrorist attack are interviewed by Congress. Graham, R-S.C., first issued his plan Monday but the White House appeared unmoved, so he restated it at a Wednesday news conference on Capitol Hill. ‘I will block all future nominees, not because I want to shut anything down, but because I want to open things up,’ Graham said. He was joined by Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, and Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Jason Chaffetz of Utah and Gowdy, R-Spartanburg.” [The State, 10/30/13]
Gowdy Has Already Pushed Far-Flung Conspiracy Theories
Trey Gowdy argued the administration changed the names of people involved in the Benghazi attacks as part of a cover-up attempt. “Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) is accusing the Obama administration of a massive cover-up in the deadly Benghazi, Libya, terrorist attack, saying it was ‘dispersing’ witnesses around the country and changing their names in an effort to hide the truth about what happened. In an interview Thursday with Fox News host Greta Van Susteren, Gowdy said the administration is ‘changing names, creating aliases’ of U.S. agents who were in Benghazi on the night of the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks. ‘Stop and think what things are most calculated to get at the truth? Talk to people with first-hand knowledge. What creates the appearance or perhaps the reality of a cover-up? Not letting us talk with people who have the most amount of information, dispersing them around the country and changing their names,’ Gowdy said.” [The Hill, 8/2/13]
Trey Gowdy suggested the Obama 2012 campaign could have been directly manipulating the Internal Revenue Service. The following exchange occurred on Fox News: O’REILLY: “What — what is your opinion on what’s really going on with the IRS? I mean we now know that it’s into the Washington bureaucracy, it’s not a Cincinnati deal. Do you think this was orchestrated by the Democratic Party or the White House?” GOWDY: “Well, I don’t have any evidence to support that, but I can tell you this. One place we ought to be looking is the — is the Obama/Biden re- elect. Not just the White House but their re-election team. I like to deal in evidence. I can’t prove to you that it goes to the White House. I can tell you this — I don’t think two rogue agents in Cincinnati concocted this scheme on their own.” [Fox News, 6/18/13]
Trey Gowdy openly questioned whether President Obama would circumvent election laws. “A dismayed U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., wondered what the limits to executive power are given many of the actions that President Barack Obama has taken with respect to immigration and the Affordable Care Act. At a House Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, Gowdy questioned a panel of legal experts on ‘The President’s Constitutional Duty to Faithfully Execute the Laws,’ according to HotAir. ‘If the president can fail to enforce immigration laws, can the president likewise fail to enforce election laws?’ Gowdy asked Simon Lazarus, senior counsel to the Constitutional Accountability Center.” [BizPac Review, 12/5/13]
Trey Gowdy suggested President Obama tricked women into supporting him with the contraceptive mandate. “The question of whether corporations are people with religious beliefs, capable of theological objections to contraception access, won’t appear before the Supreme Court until the spring, with a ruling likely in the summer. But in the meantime, the rhetoric surrounding the issue is going to be amazing. Speaking out against the contraceptive mandate, South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy accused the president of winning the election by misleading women voters. ‘The president knows he is not going to win this case. But what he did win was an election. He won election in part by deceiving women and the so-called war on women,’ Gowdy said Wednesday on Fox News’s ‘On the Record.’ ‘He knows he is not going to win this in Supreme Court, but he won in 2012. That was his real objective.’ Even for House Republicans, this is a doozy. According to Gowdy, President Obama included contraception access as part of preventive care under federal law, but it was really just an elaborate ruse.” [MSNBC, 12/2/13]
Gowdy Attacked Planned Parenthood
Supported Shutting Down Government over Planned Parenthood
Trey Gowdy signed onto a pledge to shutdown the government if Congress failed to defund Planned Parenthood. “A group of 28 House Republican lawmakers, all men, are pledging to do everything in their power to defund Planned Parenthood this fall, even it means shutting down the federal government in protest. In a letter circulated this summer by Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), the congressmen pledged to vote against any bill that funds the federal government if it includes money for Planned Parenthood. Congress must fund the government by Sept. 30 to avoid a shutdown…The 28 Republicans threatening a shutdown are Reps. Mulvaney, Jim Jordan (Ohio), John Fleming (La.), Raúl Labrador (Idaho), Matt Salmon (Ariz.), Tim Huelskamp (Kan.), Jeff Duncan (S.C.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Trey Gowdy (S.C.), Walter Jones (N.C.), Curt Clawson (Fla.), Jim Bridenstine (Okla.), Keith Rothfus (Pa.), Randy Weber (Texas), Scott Perry (Pa.), Steven Pearce (N.M.), Trent Franks (Ariz.), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Ted Yoho (Fla.), Jody Hice (Ga.), David Rouzer (N.C.), Dave Brat (Va.), Mark Meadows (N.C.), Scott DesJarlais (Tenn.), Mark Walker (N.C.), Brian Babin (Texas), David Schweikert (Ariz.), and Trent Kelly (Miss.).” [Huffington Post, 9/8/15]
Gowdy Accused Planned Parenthood of Selling Fetal Body Parts
Trey Gowdy: “I’m not going to give taxpayer money to an entity that discusses the best way to sell body parts.” “‘The people I work for do not want to fund that,’ he said. ‘People can disagree about a woman’s right to choose and Roe vs. Wade, but this is barbaric, depraved.’ Gowdy was referring to four videos recently released by the Center for Medical Progress that showed Planned Parenthood officials callously discussing the sale of fetal body parts. ‘I’m not going to give taxpayer money to an entity that discusses the best way to sell body parts and whether or not you can perform procedures after a delivery and sell those parts in interstate commerce,’ Gowdy added. ‘I’m not going to fund it.’” [Conservative Tribune, 8/3/15]
Accusations Hurled at Planned Parenthood President
Trey Gowdy harshly interrogated Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, accusing her of “eating dinner salads and drinking wine” while “discussing infanticide.” “At one point, Richards told Gowdy that Planned Parenthood would like to make campaign contributions to Republicans, but: ‘We don’t think women’s rights should be a partisan issue.’ Gowdy was ready: ‘And we don’t think eating dinner salads and drinking wine while you’re discussing infanticide – we have a problem with that, too. So I’m sure you can understand why we would be as viscerally opposed to what we saw on some of the tapes.’” [IJ Review, 10/4/15]
Trey Gowdy accused Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards of saying anti-abortion advocates “are not reasonable.” “‘I appreciate that people have a lot of different views on the issue of abortion,’ Richards said. ‘We take the position that we trust women to make decisions about their pregnancies.’ Gowdy responded, ‘I appreciate the way you like to frame the issue, that you are the reasonable one and those of us who have a contrary position are not reasonable.’ ‘I didn’t say that,’ Richards claimed. ‘No, that’s exactly the last answer you gave,’ Gowdy shot back. When the Planned Parenthood boss again denied using those ‘words,’ Gowdy continued to push back — and he seemingly delivered a wink to make his point. ‘It’s not always what you say, sometimes it’s just what you mean,’ the Republican added.” [The Blaze, 9/30/15]
Gowdy Equated Affordable Care Act with Segregation
Trey Gowdy said the Affordable Care Act was a bad law, similar to laws in the past that made it unlawful for “Tim Scott and I to sit-down at a restaurant and eat together.” “In the latest instance, Gowdy said House Republicans don’t believe the ACA is a good law and have stood strong on those principles. ‘Some people might say that we should go along with what the President wants, and the Supreme Court ruling, but I would submit that just because it’s law doesn’t make it a good law,’ Gowdy said. ‘There was a time when it would have been unlawful for (Sen.) Tim Scott and I to sit-down at a restaurant and eat together. There are bad laws and those worth staying and fighting for and I happen to think this is one of them.’” [GoUpstate.com, 10/1/13]
Jim Jordan – OH
Pushed GOP Conspiracies About Benghazi
Jordan Said Hillary Clinton Denied Security
Jim Jordan: “They said they needed more help. Hillary Clinton denied that.” “In an interview Thursday with The Lima News, Jordan said Clinton is personally responsible for the attack, that she denied requests for more security. ‘Yeah, she’s the boss,’ Jordan said. ‘This is not France, this is not Great Britain, where you can rely on a handful of your security and rely on a host country to provide additional security. It’s Libya for goodness sake, and they’re treating it like an embassy in Canada. They knew if there was an attack on the compound, the hired help were going to drop their weapons and run or worst case fire on the good guys. So they said they needed more help. Hillary Clinton denied that.’” [LimaOhio.com, 1/24/14]
Jordan Said An Accusation was Important Because it “Fits the Narrative”
Jim Jordan said an accusation by Ray Maxwell was important because “it fits the story, it fits the narrative.” “MEGYN KELLY: Raymond Maxwell, former head of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs is claiming, and this is a man who said he was, he voted for Barack Obama, he was a Hillary Clinton supporter, but he claims that he walked into the State Department one night and they were scrubbing documents. And he told Cheryl, he walked in and they told me Ray, we are to go through these stacks, pull out anything that might put anybody in the Near Eastern affairs front office or the 7th floor, that was Hillary’s floor, in a bad light. He claims he responded ‘isn’t that unethical?’ And he was told, ‘Ray, those are our orders.’ He said two Hillary Clinton confidants were allegedly there including Hillary’s chief of staff. Do you believe it? JIM JORDAN: Well, it certainly has to be looked into. First, when you have a State Department employee who’s an eye witness to what he calism to be a crime that needs to be investigated. Second, Cheryl Atkinson is a respected journalist, she thinks this source, Ray Maxwell is a good enough source that she can break this story. And third, and probably most importantly, it fits the story, it fits the narrative. Remember, this accountability review board was handpicked by Hillary Clinton and Cheryl Mills. They selected Admiral Mullen and Ambassador Pickering to the board. They got to see a draft copy before it went public, so in essence they got to make edits to the report.” [Fox News, 9/17/14]
Jordan Said ARB was not Independent
Jim Jordan on ARB: “I’m not trying to discredit it, it’s already discredited. The idea that it’s the end-all be all blue ribbon commission, everything’s fine, is just not accurate.” “MEGYN KELLY: You’re basically trying to discredit the ARB, which Hillary and the State Department continuously point to as exoneration in their view for conscious wrongdoing on their part. JIM JORDAN: Megyn, I’m not trying to discredit it, it’s already discredited. The idea that it’s the end-all be all blue ribbon commission, everything’s fine, is just not accurate. They picked the guys who were on the panel.” [Fox News, 9/17/14]
Jordan Said There was a Stand Down Order
Jim Jordan: “We still do not know who gave the order for them to stand down.” “We were shocked to hear Mr. Hicks’s account that special operations teams stationed in Tripoli were prevented from flying to the consulate to respond to the initial attack. Their presence in Benghazi could have saved lives. We still do not know who gave the order for them to stand down.” [Letter on Benghazi Hearing from Congressman Jim Jordan, 5/13/13]
Jim Jordan has claimed that “we didn’t send help” to Benghazi during the attack. “Jordan has previously played an outspoken role in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s probe on the issue. Earlier this week, he told FoxNews the committee would do important work that would help Congress ‘most effectively and efficiently get to the truth.’ ‘People want to know what happened, why we didn’t send help,’ Jordan continued. ‘There are lots of important questions, like why was the security — additional security not provided when there were repeated requests for it before the attacks?” [Cleveland.com, 5/9/14]
Jordan Pushed The Same Debunked 60 Minutes Benghazi Report
Jim Jordan: “‘60 Minutes’ has talked to more people on the ground in Benghazi than I have.” “A House member appearing with Graham, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), expressed outrage over the lack of access to those that were on the ground in Benghazi. ‘60 Minutes’ has talked to more people on the ground in Benghazi than I have,’ he said. ‘There’s something wrong when the administration says one thing, ‘We want to get to the truth,’ and then we don’t get access to the very people.’” [Politico, 10/30/13]
Jordan Supported Blocking Nominees over Benghazi Witness Availability
Jim Jordan stood with Lindsey Graham in calling for future nominees to be blocked until more witnesses are interviewed in Benghazi investigations. “Graham, R-S.C., first issued his plan Monday but the White House appeared unmoved, so he restated it at a Wednesday news conference on Capitol Hill. ‘I will block all future nominees, not because I want to shut anything down, but because I want to open things up,’ Graham said. He was joined by Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, and Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Jason Chaffetz of Utah and Gowdy, R-Spartanburg.” [The State, 10/30/15]
Jordan was an Oversight Hawk
Jim Jordan wanted to take over the House Oversight committee and continue his investigations into Benghazi, the IRS scandal, and the launch of the administration’s healthcare website. “In December, Jordan Chief of Staff Ray Yonkura said his boss wants to chair the House Oversight Committee after this year. Current Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, a Republican from California, is term-limited as the committee chair. After the November election, new party leadership will be selected for 2015. Jordan has been active and assertive with investigations into Benghazi, the IRS scandal involving tea party and conservative groups and the launch of the administration’s health care marketplace website. On Thursday, Jordan brushed the notion aside, saying he was focused on helping communicate the party’s vision for the country during this election year and continuing his oversight work.” [LimaOhio.com, 1/24/14]
Jordan Attacked Planned Parenthood
Supported Shutting Down Government over Planned Parenthood
Jim Jordan signed onto a pledge to shutdown the government if Congress failed to defund Planned Parenthood. “A group of 28 House Republican lawmakers, all men, are pledging to do everything in their power to defund Planned Parenthood this fall, even it means shutting down the federal government in protest. In a letter circulated this summer by Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.), the congressmen pledged to vote against any bill that funds the federal government if it includes money for Planned Parenthood. Congress must fund the government by Sept. 30 to avoid a shutdown…The 28 Republicans threatening a shutdown are Reps. Mulvaney, Jim Jordan (Ohio), John Fleming (La.), Raúl Labrador (Idaho), Matt Salmon (Ariz.), Tim Huelskamp (Kan.), Jeff Duncan (S.C.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Trey Gowdy (S.C.), Walter Jones (N.C.), Curt Clawson (Fla.), Jim Bridenstine (Okla.), Keith Rothfus (Pa.), Randy Weber (Texas), Scott Perry (Pa.), Steven Pearce (N.M.), Trent Franks (Ariz.), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Ted Yoho (Fla.), Jody Hice (Ga.), David Rouzer (N.C.), Dave Brat (Va.), Mark Meadows (N.C.), Scott DesJarlais (Tenn.), Mark Walker (N.C.), Brian Babin (Texas), David Schweikert (Ariz.), and Trent Kelly (Miss.).” [Huffington Post, 9/8/15]
Jordan said the Planned Parenthood Videos Might Show Criminal Activity
Jim Jordan: The Planned Parenthood “videos point out some of the most disgusting, immoral what looks like criminal activity. There is no way, no way they should be getting a penny of taxpayer money.” “ALISYN CAMEROTA: You’ve gone down this road before of defunding, attempting to defund Planned Parenthood and shutting down the government. And it hasn’t worked well for Republicans. Why go down it again? JIM JORDAN: Well, Alisyn, look. First of all, understand this. Planned Parenthood has been engaged. These videos point out some of the most disgusting, immoral what looks like criminal activity. There is no way, no way they should be getting a penny of taxpayer money.” [CNN’s New Day, 8/26/15]
Jordan Said Planned Parenthood Should Be Defunded Immediately, Despite Ongoing Investigations
Jim Jordan: “Of course we should continue the investigation. Of course we should get all the information out there. But we know enough already to say this organization shouldn’t be getting your tax money.” “CAMEROTA: Why not let the investigations happen first? I mean, you’re saying that there’s criminal activity. You don’t know that there’s criminal activity. JORDAN: I said what appears to be criminal activity but certainly disturbing activity. Why should they be getting taxpayer money while these investigations are going on? I’m on the Judiciary Committee. I’m on the Oversight Committee, two of the three committees looking into this issue. Of course we should continue the investigation. Of course we should get all the information out there. But we know enough already to say this organization shouldn’t be getting your tax money. And oh, by the way, a few years ago, they were on videotape advocating all kinds of disgusting things, as well, then. We should have defunded them then.” [CNN’s New Day, 8/26/15]
Jordan Said Senators Should “Find Jesus” and Defund Obamacare
Jim Jordan hoped senators would “find Jesus and do the right thing” by defunding Obamacare. “‘When the American people get engaged, they have a way of making elected officials see the light, find the Lord, and do the right thing. This bill does the right thing,’ Jordan said in an interview with CNN’s ‘The Lead with Jake Tapper.’ But the bill ties defunding Obamacare, to funding the government. There are not enough votes to pass the bill in the Senate, the president said he would veto it, and that would lead to a government shutdown… ‘The people have a way of weighing in on these debates, and changing the minds of politicians,’ said Jordan. ‘I think there are senators who are going to find Jesus and do the right thing.’” [CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper, 9/20/13]
Jordan Refused To Attend CPAC Because A Gay Republican Group Would Be There
Jim Jordan has refused to attend CPAC because a gay Republican group was participating. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported in 2011 that Congressman Jim Jordan “wouldn’t attend the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington because a gay GOP group was participating.” [Cleveland Plain Dealer, 6/5/11]
Jordan Has Been A Political Enemy Of Boehner
Jim Jordan coordinated attacks on fellow Republicans supporting Boehner’s effort to raise the debt ceiling in 2011. “The GOP rank and file tore into Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (Ohio) on Wednesday for his role in coordinated attacks on Republicans who have backed Speaker John Boehner’s (Ohio) debt limit proposal. According to participants, during a closed-door Republican Conference meeting Wednesday, Jordan and a top RSC staffer came under fire from their colleagues for their role in the attacks. The RSC, Heritage Action for America and others have closely coordinated their opposition to Boehner’s debt plan — including circulating a public pressure hit list of Republicans prepared by the RSC.” [Roll Call, 7/27/11]
Mike Pompeo – KS
Pushed GOP Conspiracy Theories about Benghazi
Pompeo Said the Military Did Not Respond to Attack
Mike Pompeo: “You know, we’ve got a military that had the opportunity that night to take action.” “MP: I haven’t given a whole lot of thought to when that point is. But you know, it’s a complicated set of facts. It’s a lot of data, and it’s a lot of material to review. So the window is pretty narrow. And so I hope literally today, tomorrow, this week, they’ll make their choices, and I hope they’ll do the right thing. These facts, Hugh, they’re not partisan. I’m a veteran. You know, we’ve got a military that had the opportunity that night to take action. I want to get to the bottom of if they handled that appropriately. So you have lots of agencies, whether that’s the State Department, the Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency, all of these various agencies, the White House national security staff, had roles in this, and it’s complicated.” [Hugh Hewitt show, 5/14/14]
Pompeo Argued Administration Intentionally Misrepresented Facts
Mike Pompeo argued the State Department and White House “put out a document that didn’t reflect the reality on the ground as they knew it at the time.” “Rep. Mike Pompeo of the House Intelligence Committee disagreed with the administration’s position on Weekends with Alex Witt, saying that, ‘the changes made to those e-mails weren’t aesthetic, they weren’t cursory…State Department and [The] White House put out a document that didn’t reflect the reality on the ground as they knew it at the time.’ The Kansas Republican raised concerns that ‘political’ actors were the ones responsible for withholding hard-earned intelligence data from citizens who are in turn responsible for choosing their elected leaders, but disagreed with claims that Republicans are on a witch-hunt. ‘This isn’t about politics; this is about uncovering the facts surrounding a major national security failure.’” [MSNBC, 5/11/13]
Pompeo Accused Cummings of Purposely Thwarting Investigation
Mike Pompeo accused Rep. Cummings of acting as “an agent for preventing this committee from performing its tasks. “Rep. Mike Pompeo, a Kansas Republican and an attorney, said the committee’s work could have been finished a year ago had the Democrats not continued to stonewall. As a result, he said, the committee only has 10 percent of requested documents. ‘Chairman Gowdy worked his tail off and continues to work his tail off to get to the facts,’ Pompeo told RCP. ‘[He] has had more patience than I would have had – you can write that – with the behavior of [ranking member] Mr. [Elijah] Cummings, who has behaved with enormous, enormous recalcitrance, and has acted as an agent for preventing this committee from performing its tasks.’ Pompeo characterized the committee Democrats’ actions as ‘100 percent defense, zero percent inquiry.’” [Pompeo Votes to Defund Selling of Baby Parts, Protect Abortion Survivors, 9/18/15]
Pompeo Attacked Planned Parenthood
Accused Planned Parenthood of Selling Fetal Parts and Called for Defunding
Mike Pompeo: Stories about “the harvesting and sale of fetal parts, reinforce my belief that federal funding for organizations and clinics that perform abortions must be stopped immediately.” “‘Every human life is a sacred gift from God and should never be subject to the abhorrent and inhumane practices of Planned Parenthood,’ said Pompeo. ‘The stories that have surfaced about such horrific practices and techniques, including the harvesting and sale of fetal parts, reinforce my belief that federal funding for organizations and clinics that perform abortions must be stopped immediately. I am proud to support these two bills that are vitally important to our effort to stop these despicable practices at Planned Parenthood and other organizations and bring every person involved in these illegal activities to justice.”
Pompeo Criticized the Iran Nuclear Deal
Mike Pompeo said the inspections in the Iran nuclear deal was “like allowing a drug addict to submit his own specimen without any supervision.” “Pompeo has gone beyond stating his opposition to publicly campaign against the deal, urging members of Congress on Twitter to vote against it next month and criticizing the Obama administration for withholding information from Congress. ‘Even more unbelievable is that the administration would trust serial nuclear cheaters to conduct their own inspections and submit their own soil samples from their nuclear sites,’ Pompeo said Wednesday. ‘That is like allowing a drug addict to submit his own specimen without any supervision.’” [CJ Online, 8/20/15]
Mike Pompeo demanded to see the signatures of the representatives from seven nations on the Iran nuclear deal. “A Republican critic of the nuclear deal with Iran wants the State Department to give Congress a copy of the agreement that includes the formal signatures of the seven nations involved in the talks. Without those signatures, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) told Secretary of State John Kerry, Congress cannot be assured that every country has agreed to the terms of the deal. ‘This is not a mere formality,’ Pompeo wrote. ‘Those signatures represent the commitment of the signatory and the country on whose behalf he or she is signing.’ ‘In short, just as with any legal instrument, signing matters.’” [The Hill, 9/18/15]
Pompeo Has Made Offensive Comments About Muslims
Pompeo Said American Muslims Are Complicit in Attacks
Mike Pompeo: “Silence has made these Islamic leaders across America potentially complicit in these acts, and more importantly still, in those that may well follow.” “Noting that it has been two months since the Boston Marathon bombing, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) said the supposed silence from Muslim leaders on terrorism is ‘deafening,’ adding that it’s ‘sad, but perhaps most importantly it’s dangerous.’ Listing off a number terrorist acts committed by Islamic extremists, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and several more recent failed plots, Pompeo blamed the leaders of the Islamic community for not doing more to prevent these actions, hinting that they could be complicit in the deaths they’ve caused. ‘Instead of responding, silence has made these Islamic leaders across America potentially complicit in these acts, and more importantly still, in those that may well follow,’ Pompeo accused.” [Think Progress, 6/11/13]
Pompeo’s 2010 Campaign Promoted Article Calling His Opponent A “Turban Topper”
Mike Pompeo was forced to apologize for his campaign’s promotion of an article calling his opponent a “turban topper.” “A Republican congressional candidate and RNC committee member has personally apologized for a tweet his campaign sent out promoting an article that called his opponent a ‘turban topper’ who ‘could be a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist etc who knows.’ Republican Mike Pompeo, who is running for a congressional seat in Kansas’s Fourth District, called State Rep. Raj Goyle on Thursday to offer his regrets for the offending post, Goyle told the Huffington Post… On Wednesday, Pompeo found himself in hot water after his Twitter account promoted, as a ‘good read’ a local news article that included the inflammatory attack on Goyle.” [Huffington Post, 8/12/10]
Pompeo Suggested Obama Had Affinity for Terrorists
Mike Pompeo agreed a conservative commentator’s suggestion that Obama had “kind of an affinity for” terrorists. “Gaffney had a different interpretation, wondering whether the president was conveying ‘kind of an affinity for, if not the violent beheading and crucifixions and slaying of Christians and all that, but at least for the cause for which these guys are engaged in such activities.’ Pompeo agreed, saying, ‘Frank, every place you stare at the president’s policies and statements, you see what you just described.’ ‘Every policy of this administration has treated America as if we are the problem, and not the solution to keeping not only America safe, but a stable world,’ he added.” [Right Wing Watch, 2/27/15]
Pompeo Made Extreme Comments About DADT
Mike Pompeo: “We cannot use our military to promote social ideas that do not reflect the values of the country. “Public figures were on hand to add their voices to the anti-gay and anti-Muslim sentiments expressed in the literature being handed out in the exhibition hall. Freshman Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.) warned the crowd ominously that ‘they,’ whoever they are, ‘are trying to use the military to advance their social agenda.’ Her comments came in a discussion about the recently revoked DADT policy. Hartzler has long warned against expansions of gay rights. … Joining Hartzler on her panel was another freshman, Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.). He echoed her concerns. ‘We cannot use our military to promote social ideas that do not reflect the values of the country,’ he said.” [Southern Poverty Law Center, 10/7/11]
Martha Roby – AL
Pushed GOP Conspiracy Theories about Benghazi
Roby Accused Administration of Obstructing Investigations
Martha Roby said the Select Committee was necessary due to lingering questions and continued White House obstruction. “Lingering questions about the Benghazi attack combined with continued White House obstruction and the narrow scope of existing House committees compel us to form this Select Committee and continue the search for truth.” [Why I’m Serving on the Select Committee to Investigate Benghazi, 5/16/14]
Roby Implied American People Were Being Lied To About Benghazi
Martha Roby: “The American people won’t tolerate being lied to.” “So far, we haven’t gotten a straight answer about what happened. First, the White House told us to wait for the investigation to finish. Now that more of the truth is emerging, the White House tries to brush off the issue telling us, ‘Benghazi happened a long time ago.’ It’s clear to me that questions still remain about what happened in Benghazi, including why a request for military assistance was reportedly turned town. It is Congress’s responsibility to ask questions and look into situations like this that don’t add up. …We live in a dangerous world, and the threat of an attack like this is always present. When an attack of this magnitude occurs, the government must be upfront about what happened and why. The American people won’t tolerate being lied to, and it’s Congress’s responsibility to ensure the truth is told.” [Roby statement, 5/9/13]
Roby Campaign Lists Benghazi Investigation as Accomplishment
Martha Roby’s campaign lists “fighting to find the truth” about the Benghazi attacks as a major accomplishment. “Her campaign lists her accomplishments as: ‘fighting to prevent harmful military cuts that hurt service families and threaten national security; fighting to expose corruption at the Central Alabama VA and improve how local veterans receive care; fighting on behalf of the unborn to advance major legal protections for life and defund Planned Parenthood; fighting to find the truth about the September 11, 2012 Benghazi terrorist attacks as a Member of the Select Committee on Benghazi. fighting to give Alabama farmers a fair shake by passing a responsible farm bill and by reining in unnecessary environmental restrictions;’ and ‘fighting on behalf of homegrown Alabama businesses to expose and push back overly-aggressive federal agencies and policies.’” [Alabama Political Reporter, 10/5/15]
Roby Attacked Planned Parenthood
Roby Fought to Defund Planned Parenthood
Martha Roby introduced “a ‘correction’ bill to re-insert language immediately halting all taxpayer funding from going to Planned Parenthood” into the temporary funding bill that prevented a shutdown. “Congresswoman Roby continued, ‘That’s why I am introducing a ‘correction’ bill to re-insert language immediately halting all taxpayer funding from going to Planned Parenthood for the next year as investigations proceed. The language is actually identical to the House-passed ‘defund’ bill sponsored earlier this month by my friend and fellow pro-life advocate Rep. Diane Black (R-TN).’ H. Con. Res. 79 would amend the temporary government funding bill to immediately halt all federal funding to Planned Parenthood for one year as investigations into the organization are carried out. Those funds would instead be directed to the more than 13,000 federally-qualified and rural health centers nationwide that provide primary care to low-income and underserved populations but do not perform abortions.” [Alabama Political Reporter, 10/2/15]
Roby Accused Planned Parenthood of Selling Fetal Body Parts
Martha Roby accused Planned Parenthood of selling fetal parts for profit. “Roby, R-Montgomery, called the comments ‘horrifying.’ ‘The casual, callous way (Nucatola) details how babies can be killed in such a way that their tiny hearts, lungs and livers can be taken and sold for profit is simply horrifying,’ Roby said during a Tuesday speech on the House floor. ‘It is honestly hard to believe a human being could bring themselves to believe this is OK,’ she added.” [AL.com, 7/15/15]
Roby Called for Criminal Investigation
Martha Roby called for a criminal investigation into Planned Parenthood. “‘I appreciate the House Leadership and the Committees of jurisdiction for quickly laying the groundwork for investigations and hearings. Congress is right to use its oversight capacity to get to the bottom of this and hold this organization to account. ‘But I think this warrants a criminal investigation – a serious one. I don’t care how much political weight Planned Parenthood throws around this town, no one is above the law. ‘If we’re going to be perp walking soccer officials, how about let’s bear down on harvesting and trafficking of babies’ body parts.’” [Roby Calls for Criminal Investigation of Planned Parenthood, 7/15/15]
Martha Roby said “admissions in the video warrant an investigation into Planned Parenthood.” “Roby said the admissions in the video warrant an investigation into Planned Parenthood. She said it also warrants greater discussion into the issue of abortion. ‘This is a moment that – as a nation– we have to ask ourselves, ‘who are we? Are we really going to tolerate this inhumanity? Are we going to look the other way while babies are brutally killed and organs harvested for profit,’ she said. ‘These aren’t specimens! These are babies for goodness’ sake!’” [AL.com, 7/15/15]
Roby Opposed Legislation to End the Government Shutdown
Martha Roby voted against legislation to end the government shutdown. “The Senate and The House of Representatives passed legislation on Wednesday night to end the government shutdown and avert a possible default, however, Senators Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby, along with Congressmen Mo Brooks, Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, and Congresswoman Martha Roby all voted against that measure.” [WHNT.com, 10/16/13]
Roby Would Not Refute Obama “Birther Claims” From Constituent
Martha Roby garnered national criticism when she allowed a man’s “birther” claims to go unrebutted. “U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, fielded a doozy of a question during a town hall meeting co-hosted by the Wetumpka Tea Party on Monday in Elmore County. Roby was asked by a constituent what she and her “non-communist colleagues” in the House might do to stop President Barack Obama. … A video of the exchange (watch it below) has gained national attention, getting mentions from the conservative FreeRepublic.com, to the liberal Mother Jones and even MSNBC, where a panel of commentators on the Andrea Mitchell Reports show chided Roby for not confronting the man. ‘When somebody says something that outrageous, it’s not enough to simply go on to the merits of their assertion,’ said Ruth Marcus of the Washington Post. ‘You need to call them out. Just like you call out racism or sexim or anti-Semitism or anything else. I think it’s very disappointing she didn’t do that.’” [Greg Talbot, Huntsville Times, 8/3/13]
Peter Roskam –IL
Accused the Obama Administration of Distorting Facts
Peter Roskam: “The Obama Administration continues to obstruct congressional inquiries by withholding key information and distorting the facts.” “For nearly two years, Congress and the American people have sought the truth regarding the terror attack on our Special Mission in Benghazi that resulted in the tragic deaths of four brave Americans. We have learned a great deal through the extensive work of standing committees that have aggressively investigated the attack, but the Obama administration continues to obstruct congressional inquiries by withholding key information and distorting the facts. Too many questions remain unanswered regarding the situation on the ground before, during, and after the event, as well as the extent of the Administration’s efforts to conceal the truth from public eye.” [Peter Roskam Press Release, 5/8/14]
Hosted Fundraiser Featuring Benghazi Committee-mate Trey Gowdy
Trey Gowdy was a special guest at a fundraiser for Congressman and Benghazi Committee member Peter Roskam. “Please join Congressman Peter Roskam with Special Guest Congressman Trey Gowdy Congressman Trey Gowdy of South Carolina serves on the House Committees on Government Reform & Oversight, Ethics and Judiciary. Prior to serving in Congress he was an experienced federal prosecutor. He brings those courtroom skills to his investigative and oversight work in the House of Representatives. Friday, September 25th.” [Cook County Republican Party, 9/15/15]
Roskam Supported a Lawsuit Against Obama over Iran Deal
Peter Roskam supported a potential lawsuit accusing the Obama administration from violating the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. “Rep. Peter Roskam (R., Ill.) told the Washington Free Beacon in an interview that the Obama administration still needs to address a ‘serious legal question’ about the nuclear deal and the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, which allowed Congress to evaluate the agreement before it was fully implemented. According to the review act, lawmakers were supposed to be granted access to the text of the agreement as well as ‘any additional materials related thereto, including annexes, appendices, codicils, side agreements, implementing materials, documents, and guidance, technical or other understandings, and any related agreements.’” [Free Beacon, 9/29/15]
Peter Roskam introduced a resolution to prevent the House from voting on the Iran bill. “GOP Rep. Peter Roskam is trying to halt the House’s upcoming vote on a measure disapproving of the Iran nuclear deal. Roskam (R-Ill.) is planning to try to force a vote this week on a resolution that says President Barack Obama has not submitted the entirety of the agreement to Congress, and therefore the House should not hold a vote to reject the deal. Roskam is trying to draw attention to the so-called ‘side deals’ that were hashed out between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency.” [Politico, 9/8/15]
Roskam Said GOP Should be Rhetorically Aggressive Against Administratioin
Peter Roskam: “We need to be more rhetorically aggressive against the administration.” “Even with that, ‘we need to be more rhetorically aggressive against the administration,’ Roskam said. ‘There are many times I hear from folks at home — and other Republicans — ‘You’re not fighting.’ ‘Boehner has little use for GOP House members who would rather shut down government than compromise, given the political reality. On CBS’ ‘Face the Nation’ on Sunday, Boehner said, ‘there are people out there spreading noise about how much can get done.’ Roskam said being more aggressive might be helpful — in moving along, not stopping the business of lawmaking.” [Chicago Sun-Times, 9/28/15]
Roskam Equated Abortion with Execution of Rapists
Peter Roskam equated “abortion with the execution of rapists.” “Republican Congressman Peter Roskam appeared to equate abortion with the execution of rapists during an interview with the suburban Pioneer Press editorial board, a statement that Springfield chronicler Rich Miller believes ‘might do some damage’ to the Wheaton incumbent in the final days of his close race against Democratic opponent Jill Morgenthaler.” [Huffington Post, 11/27/08]
Faced Congressional Ethics Probe
Peter Roskam was investigated by the House Committee on Ethics in 2013 after being accused of taking a trip with his wife that “was improperly financed by the Taiwanese government.” “The House Ethics Committee announced Friday that it was pushing ahead with an investigation into Representative Peter Roskam of Illinois, a member of the House Republican leadership, and that it was pursuing inquiries into three other lawmakers, including Michele Bachmann… The accusation against Mr. Roskam involves a trip to Taiwan with his wife in 2011 that the Office of Congressional Ethics — which asked for the full Ethics Committee investigation — said was improperly financed by the Taiwanese government, according to Politico, which first reported the details.” [New York Times, 7/26/13]
The House Ethics Committee closed its investigation into Rep Roskam reporting “it was ‘inconclusive’ whether the university” that supplied $25,000 to Roskam and his wife for the trip “was a ‘proper sponsor.’” “The U.S. House Ethics Committee Friday closed the investigation into Rep. Peter Roskam’s 2011 trip to Taiwan after months of review without recommending disciplinary actions… Roskam and his wife took the $25,000 trip paid for by the Chinese Culture University in Taipei. The Wheaton Republican argued during the probe that the committee had signed off on the trip in advance and his office followed the rules. The Ethics Committee report Friday said it was ‘inconclusive’ whether the university was a ‘proper sponsor,’ and it couldn’t compel testimony to get the information it needed to make that call.” [Daily Herald, 11/15/13]
Lynn Westmoreland – GA
Pushed GOP Conspiracies About Benghazi
Hillary Clinton Denied Security
Lynn Westmoreland’s two conclusions about Benghazi accused Hillary Clinton of denying additional security and the Obama administration perpetuating a lie about the motive behind the attack. “This all leads to two conclusions. First, it was then-Secretary of State Hilary Clinton who denied the requested and much-needed additional security to our representatives in Libya. Second, the White House did not perpetuate this lie about the anti-Muslim film being the cause of the attack to protect classified information. They did it to protect their own backsides.” [Capitol Corner: Westmoreland Disappointed in Obama Administration’s Handling of Benghazi, Vows to Continue Investigation, 4/29/13]
Obama Administration Cover-Up
Lynn Westmoreland: Americans “deserve to know the truth, and who was behind covering up the events leading up to and after the attacks.” “All Americans, especially the families of the four we lost that night, deserve to know the truth, and who was behind covering up the events leading up to and after the attacks. I will work tirelessly with the other Select Committee members to present fair and honest conclusions, and to ensure that what happened on the night of September 11, 2012, doesn’t happen again.” [Westmoreland Appointed to Benghazi Select Committee, 5/9/14]
Discussed Selective Portions of “Classified” Benghazi Interview
Lynn Westmoreland openly discussed certain details of Cheryl Mills’ testimony, despite GOP claims that it was classified. “Finally, just hours after the interview concluded, Select Committee Member Lynn Westmoreland appeared on Fox News and freely discussed numerous details from the interview. Despite your direction to treat the interview as classified, he emphasized that he was providing first-hand information ‘[a]ccording to what we heard today.’ As he explained, ‘I’m just telling you what they said.’” [Democrats to Release Mills Interview Transcript to Correct Public Record, 10/5/15]
Westmoreland Admitted He Is Looking To Prove His Own Claims On Benghazi
Lynn Westmoreland: “I think that we know exactly what happened. It’s getting the proof to prove what happened that has been the biggest undertaking.” In an interview with JD Hayworth on Newsmax TV, Westmoreland said, “I think that we know exactly what happened. It’s getting the proof to prove what happened that has been the biggest undertaking. I think you can see that Speaker Boehner came out, condemned the Administration about the subpoenas. We are just getting information, JD, that was subpoenaed from the State Department in October of 2012.” [Newsmax TV obtained via Right Wing Watch, 5/1/14]
Westmoreland Has Called For “Some Prosecutors” On The Benghazi Tragedy
Lynn Westmoreland: “I would like to get some prosecutors, someone that knows how to build a case, and let us go and review all the testimony.” According to the transcript of an interview with United Liberty, Westmoreland was asked, “So we’ve had a number of congressional hearings, we’ve had House Oversight and Government Reform, House Intel, and others. We’re coming up on two years of the unfortunate anniversary of this attack. Where are members of Congress going at this point?”Westmoreland responded, “I went to the Speaker probably six weeks ago now, and I said, Speaker, I want you to think about something. I said I would like to put together a group, I’d like to get two people on both sides of Government Reform, I’d like to get two people on Armed Services, and two people from Foreign Affairs, and two people from Intel Committee. And in that group, I would like to get some prosecutors, someone that knows how to build a case, and let us go and review all the testimony.” [United Liberty transcript, 4/19/14]
Westmoreland Fundraised Off of Benghazi
Lynn Westmoreland discussed the Benghazi investigation at a fundraiser. “Westmoreland, whose office was not immediately available to comment, also addressed the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, which he is investigating as a member on a new House select committee tasked with re-examining the incident. I’m not going to stand here and confirm or deny anything,’ Westmoreland told the crowd. ‘Our job is to figure out the truth.’” [Huffington Post, 9/9/15]
A Cobb County GOP fundraiser featuring Lynn Westmoreland advertised “an update on the Benghazi investigation” and touted Westmoreland’s role on the Benghazi Committee. “Admission for the Marietta, Georgia, event was $10. The Cobb County GOP touted the event as a ‘very unusual breakfast’ where its supporters would receive an ‘update on the Benghazi investigation.’ ‘Congressman Westmoreland was selected by Speaker Boehner to serve on the House Select Committee on Benghazi,’ read the invite, which was obtained by The Huffington Post.” [Huffington Post, 9/9/15; Cobb County GOP: Breakfast with Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, 9/6/14]
Westmoreland Called Obama “Our Enemy”
Lynn Westmoreland: “I think our enemy stands on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.” “Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) attended a breakfast for the Cobb County Republican Party on Saturday where he denounced ‘our enemy,’ President Barack Obama. ‘I think our enemy stands on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,’ he said before a crowd of 75, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. He later drew laughter for calling Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), a frequent target for Republicans this cycle, ‘ruthless and senile.’” [Huffington Post, 9/9/15]
Pushed Huma Abedin-Muslim Brotherhood Conspiracy
Lynn Westmoreland accused Huma Abedin of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. “The flap began after Bachmann and Republican colleagues Arizona Rep. Trent Franks, Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert, Florida Rep. Tom Rooney and Georgia Rep. Lynn Westmoreland sent letters to several inspector generals in the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice and the Office of National Intelligence as to whether the Muslim Brotherhood could be infiltrating the U.S. government. The letters quickly attracted attention with one specifically mentioning the State Department’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Huma Abedin, a long-time Hillary Clinton aide, by name.” [US News, 6/19/12; Bachmann letter to State Department Inspector General, 6/13/12]
Susan Brooks – IN
Brooks Sought Access to Server as Key to Benghazi Investigation
Susan Brooks argued that access to Hillary Clinton’s server was critical to the Benghazi Committee’s investigation. “A member of the House committee investigating the deadly attacks in Benghazi, Libya, against Americans in 2012 says Hillary Rodham Clinton’s email server may help lawmakers answer vital questions. One question is why security at the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi was inadequate. Republican Susan Brooks of Indiana says in the weekly GOP radio address that gaining access to Clinton’s server is ‘the only way to truly know’ that investigators have obtained all the State Department communications that belong to the public.” [WTHR.com, 3/14/15]
Brooks Voted to Defund Planned Parenthood
Susan Brooks voted to defund Planned Parenthood and touted the vote on her website. “A divided House voted Friday to block Planned Parenthood’s federal funds for a year, as Republican leaders labored to keep GOP outrage over abortion from spiraling into an impasse with President Barack Obama that could shut down the government. The House used a nearly party-line 241-187 vote to clear the legislation, which stands little chance of enactment. Senate Democrats have enough votes to block it, and for good measure the White House has promised a veto. Seven of Indiana’s nine U.S. congressional representatives – Jackie Walorski, Marlin Stutzman, Todd Rokita, Susan Brooks, Luke Messer, Larry Bucshon and Todd Young, all Republicans – voted in favor of the bill.” [AP via susanbrooks.house.gov, 9/21/15]
Brooks Criticized the Iran Nuclear Deal
Invoked Benghazi and 9/11 in Speech about Iran Agreement
Susan Brooks invoked the victims of Benghazi and September 11th in a speech opposing the Iran nuclear deal. “I stand today in strong opposition to the Iranian nuclear deal. A deal with Iran, a leading state sponsor of terror. Every day that goes by another story comes out about why we shouldn’t support the deal. The head of Iran’s military says they will never accept the deal’s restrictions on their arms capabilities. The AP recently recovered key verification provisions, buried in a pair of confidential side agreements that congress doesn’t even have, that will allow Iran to inspect its own nuclear capabilities. And just last week, the Supreme Leader of Iran changed the rules of the game, saying Iran will not comply with their side of the deal unless sanctions are lifted and not merely suspended. This is a deeply flawed deal and I know we can do better. America is still the most prosperous and powerful country on Earth and the protector of freedom and stability in the world. We must do better for the victims of 9/11 and the victims in Benghazi.” [Rep. Brooks Floor Speech: Iran Nuclear Deal, 9/11/15]
Brooks led Fight for State Sanctions Against Iran to Continue
Susan Brooks authored a letter to Secretary Kerry to allow states to keep sanctions on Iran, while the federal government suspends sanctions as a part of the nuclear deal. “As the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), generally called the Iran nuclear agreement, goes into effect, 61 bipartisan Representatives from 25 states, led by Congresswoman Susan Brooks (R-IN), sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry to ensure that states are able to uphold their rights to impose and enforce restrictions against Iran. ‘It is critical that we keep remaining sanctions on Iran at the state level, especially as federal sanctions begin to be waived,’ Brooks said. ‘I’m concerned that this agreement may infringe upon the ability of states, like Indiana, to enforce state sanctions already in place. These sanctions ensure that state pension funds or taxpayer dollars won’t go towards funding Iranian terrorism or human rights’ abuses.’” [Brooks Leads Letter to Administration in Support of States’ Rights to Enforce Sanctions Against Iran, 9/21/15]