Hours after Hillary Clinton unveiled a new political ad aimed at the House Select Committee on Benghazi, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy fought back by reaffirming the committee’s nonpartisan purpose.
McCarthy exposed the select committee to scrutiny last week when he implied the Benghazi investigation had worked explicitly toward bringing down Clinton’s poll numbers.
“The mission of the Select Committee on Benghazi is to find the truth – period,” McCarthy said Tuesday. “The integrity of Chairman [Trey] Gowdy, the Committee and the work they’ve accomplished is beyond reproach. The serious questions Secretary Clinton faces are due entirely to her own decision to put classified information at risk and endanger our national security.”
The California Republican’s statement came shortly after Clinton launched her national ad, entitled “Admit,” that featured McCarthy’s controversial remarks about the Benghazi probe.
“The Republicans have spent millions attacking Hillary because she’s fighting for everything they oppose,” a voice says in the video shortly after footage of McCarthy’s comments.
Democrats were quick to capitalize on the majority leader’s gaffe, with several calling for the committee’s dismemberment within days of his ill-fated interview.
McCarthy has made several attempts to walk back his comments about the select committee as he ramps up his bid for the speakership, but the slip-up invited an underdog challenge from Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
