A bill introduced Sept. 14 by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) calling for investigations and a report on the attacks on U.S. missions in Libya, Egypt, and Yemen is slowing gathering supporters in the upper chamber.
“Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the September 11, 2012, attack on the United States Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, the attacks on the United States Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, that began on September 11, 2012, the September 13, 2012, attack on the United States Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen, and the state of security at United States diplomatic missions globally,” states the text of the bill.
Reports would be required both on the attacks and on recommended changes to security procedures at U.S. embassies and consulates.
DeMint originally introduced the bill with Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). Signing on throughout September were Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and James Risch (R-Idaho).
As if foretelling the Benghazi controversy that would erupt between now and then, DeMint said at the time, “It now appears these violent acts may have been coordinated terrorist attacks against America around the anniversary of 9/11. There may have even been warnings beforehand. Americans need to know if we were properly prepared and what steps must be taken to protect our diplomats in these dangerous environments.”
Today, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) added himself to the bill’s co-sponsors.
“I strongly condemn these violent attacks on our diplomatic posts, and I am outraged by the killing of Americans at our consulate in Libya,” Toomey said. “It is clear that Congress must reevaluate the security of our overseas diplomats and their facilities and investigate whether these attacks could have been prevented. This is essential for the security of the men and women currently serving in our diplomatic posts around the world, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.”
The bill was referred to Sen. John Kerry’s (D-Mass.) Foreign Relations Committee, where it’s sat ever since.
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