Republican senators call for special committee on Benghazi

This transcript is automatically generated

Joining me now one of the leading voices demanding answers from this White House about what really happened in -- -- and why.

New Hampshire senator Kelly -- she sits on -- the armed services committee and the Budget Committee senators a pleasure to have you -- Your reaction in particular to that news the president just made him on Ben Ghazi.

Well first of all we have called senator Graham Senator McCain and I have called for the establishment of select committee.

To make sure that we can get to the bottom of what happened in the Gaza because -- what we see happening right now the senate is multiple committees going forward the armed services committee.

The foreign relations committee the intelligence committee.

And it's -- on the stove -- fashion and there are more questions than answers right now and inconsistent.

Answers from these various agencies including the CIA State Department.

The DOD so we need to get to the bottom of this and so my hope is that we will establish the select committee to answer these questions.

I have to say -- respect to what the president said on Susan Rice you said directly that she went.

To every major news network on behalf of the White House.

So that really begs the question we know based on emails that went to the White House that within hours -- Knew that a terrorist group and -- all -- claiming responsibility for this.

So why did she -- -- on every major network and if she did so on behalf of the White House there are serious questions that need to be answered as to why.

The White House would try to leave that this impression to the American people about the circumstances of this.

When there is information immediately -- within hours that this appear to be a terrorist attack.

That was the first I had heard the -- that the White House directly admit that it was on their marching orders she went out.

On -- Sunday talk shows and said which she did about being -- being all about a video.

It'd been speculated by others who had worked in the White House in the past that the UN ambassador doesn't do that -- the White House tells -- to do -- but let's let's listen to that exchange.

Where Ed Henry asked the president the question and his answer.

Let's take us.

I wanted to ask what the families of these four Americans were killed Sean Smith's father ray said he believes his son basically called 911.

For help and they can get.

And I know you've said you grieve for these four Americans that -- being investigated but the families in the waiting for more than two months so.

I would like to for you address the families if you can.

On 9/11 as commander in chief did you issue any orders to try to protect their lives.

You all address the family's.

Not through the -- all -- families.

Directly and clarity have.

And we will provide all the information.

That is available about what happened on that but that's what investigations for.

But as I said repeatedly.

If people don't think that we did everything we can to make sure.

That.

We saved the lives of folks who I sent there.

And who were.

Carrying out missions on -- the United States then you don't know.

How our Defense Department thinks or State Department -- or CIA thanks.

They're number one priority is obviously protect American lives that's what our job -- That was a president speaking specifically about what happened in the week of the bank Gaza attack and saying senator.

That he told the national security team immediately do -- you need to do to make sure that they are safe your thoughts.

My thoughts are that that raises even more questions.

This attack occurred apparently over seven hours so why wasn't the best military in the world able to respond in that period.

What they're so many questions about the request for assistance where they denied -- why.

Why weren't leave -- be able to respond to be attacked in a way that would have protected.

The individuals that were there those brave Americans so I think this raises even more questions.

And again that's why it's so important that we get to the bottom of this through a bipartisan select committee.

And we've seen the stove piping already that different agencies are getting different answers.

We've got to get to the bottom of that we need to know what happened.

We need to know why it was misrepresented the way it was by ambassador rice apparently on behalf of the White House is what we learned today.

And I think that the American people really need answers and we have four brave Americans that have been I killed by terrorists attacked.

The other the other item on Susan Rice where he said it was the White House -- -- -- -- to go out he says specifically.

That if if if senators McCain and Graham want to go after someone he said go after me.

Now presumably he means he was well because you were with them this morning when you called.

For this select committee which is a special group of it's sort of it covers a few different committees in the senate and you get top leaders together and they they all work together to get to the bottom or something it happened after Watergate happened after Iran Contra.

Happen after 9/11.

And so that's what you were calling for -- any -- he says that they wanna go after somebody come after me hear your fellow senator.

Lindsey Graham sent out a message.

Moments ago in response to that said Mr.

President don't think for one minute I don't hold do you ultimately responsible for Ben Ghazi.

I think you failed as commander in chief before during and after the attack do you agree with senator Graham.

Well.

I -- else -- the president is the commander in chief and he has the responsibility.

For the safety and security of the American people here and abroad.

So absolutely and we've already raised we've written half a dozen letters to the White House to the administration.

I think it's really important so what did the president know about the higher tax on the consulate.

And if he was not informed by the intelligence -- about those attacks -- obviously we have some shortcomings in our intelligence and what they are.

Briefing the president on these are very important questions because we don't want this to happen again.

And I think that those families do deserve an answer as -- -- the American people at the hole.

Dissidents using -- pain of the stove piping you know I mean I don't believe the -- -- lines of information being walled off from one another.

So you're right you're getting all the information from one group may be staged another -- getting all the information from the department defense -- from the CIA and there the Twain shall meet in an investigation is supposed to get to the bottom.

Have a serious matter senator thank you so much for being here with you thank you -- and.

Watch Live

Republican senators call for special committee on Benghazi

Details

Clips

Editor's Picks

Okla. Gov. Fallin: We're strong and we'll rebuild

House of Scandals: Where was Obama?

Tea Party group sues IRS for political profiling

State Dept. official says he was 'scapegoat' for Benghazi

Gutfeld: Media still cast Tea Party as villains, not victims

Sen. Paul: 'Someone has to be fired' over IRS scandal

Search, rescue efforts still underway at tornado-hit school

Survivor: Family will 'stay together and just rebuild'

Scandals affecting public opinion of Obama administration?

Oklahoma: How you can help rescue teams on the ground

First responders raise flag after devastating tornado

Moore, Oklahoma resident: 'God, protect me. Protect me'

Transcript

Recommended