Politics

Ranking Dem Says House Made Cuts to Embassy Security Budget, Sparring Over House Trip to Libya

They're hoping not to make it partisan while being partisan

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The House Government Oversight Committee's hearing on security failures in Benghazi begins with Congressmen from both sides of the aisle arguing over the facts, including why the Congressional trip was all-Republican. Darrel Issa, the committee chair, said members were given the same notice for the trip.

The ranking Democrat Elijah Cummings, meanwhile, said it was House Republicans who made "millions" in cuts to embassy security, and took offense after mishearing "this side of the dais" for "this side of the aisle" in the Republican chairman's opening statment of grief. 

Utah Republican Jason Chaffetz, who went on the trip to Libya, implored committee members not to disclose sensitive information at the hearing, saying "it's been to hard to get basic information" as it is.

Democrat DC Delegate Eleanor Norton said Republicans had raised Defense department spending even while cutting State department spending while Democrat Gerry Connolly said he hoped the hearing wouldn't be a partisan effort 27 days out from elections.

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