{mosads}Royce said that the Foreign Affairs Committee would push for “a full accounting” of the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in four American personnel dead.
“The story of Benghazi is only just beginning to be recorded. The committee will do its job to ensure there is a full accounting of all that happened within the administration,” Royce said in a statement. “Al Qaeda and its affiliates have their sights on our diplomatic posts worldwide. This is a key national security issue.”
The Republican congressman from California also said the committee would focus on economic issues.
“We are only as strong abroad as we are at home,” Royce added. “The committee will focus on expanding economic opportunities for Americans overseas. That includes reforming our too bureaucratic export control system.”
About two weeks earlier Royce announced that he had been endorsed by 11 of 14 Republicans on the committee: Reps. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.), Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Tom Marino (R-Pa.), Bill Johnson (R-Ohio), Ted Poe (R-Texas) and Ros-Lehtinen.
Three Republicans returning to the committee in the next Congress did not endorse Royce: Reps. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) and Mike Kelly (R-Pa.).