Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) on Thursday voted against establishing a House select committee to investigate the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi, warning that the effort could become a “partisan witch-hunt.”
“In San Diego we continue to grieve the loss of San Diegans Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty, as well as Ambassador Chris Stevens. Their families deserve to know what happened and why, and it is my hope that a complete understanding of the facts will give them the closure they deserve,” Peters said in a statement.
“However, this committee has been established in a one-sided, political way and I cannot support its creation in this form,” said the Democrat from La Jolla.
Peter’s position contrasts with his Republican San Diego County colleague, Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-49), whose House Oversight Committee has been investigating the events surrounding the attack.
“Today’s vote to establish a select committee on Benghazi is an important step toward making the White House accountable to the American people,” Issa said. “Building on the efforts of the oversight committee, the newly formed select committee on Benghazi will work to pull the White House’s deception into the light.”
The House voted 232-186, mostly along party lines, to approve the select committee.
Peters sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner Thursday asking that the committee be structured with bipartisan co-chairs and equal membership between Democrats and Republicans.
Peters’ 52nd District covers much of central San Diego County, including Poway, Coronado, and large portions of the City of San Diego.
Issa’s 49th District includes coastal San Diego from Del Mar north to the county line, Rancho Santa Fe, Vista and much of southern Orange County.