Press Releases

Print
Home / News Center / Press Releases

Nov 14 2012

Ranking Member Adam Smith Responds to Attacks on Susan Rice

Washington D.C. – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member, Congressman Adam Smith, made the following statement in response to attacks on Ambassador Rice’s comments following the attack on Benghazi:

“I agree with the President’s comments about Ambassador Rice today. Republican attempts to blame Ambassador Rice for the horrible attack in Benghazi are ridiculous. The attack was a tragedy, and it cost four brave Americans their lives. Certainly, we should determine how to prevent attacks like this in the future, but blaming Ambassador Rice, who had nothing to do with the Benghazi attack, is a blatant attempt to score political points.

“In some cases, Republicans are blatantly misstating what Ambassador Rice said about the Benghazi attacks.  She made it clear that it was an armed assault by an organized militia.  She never claimed it was just protesters who turned violent.  The attacks on Rice are misguided and, at best, misinformed.

“Rice has been an outstanding Ambassador to the U.N. on countless issues. From leading efforts to secure the toughest sanctions against Iran and North Korea to date, to building international support to end Muahamar Qadafi's brutal reign in Libya and strongly condemning Russia's unwillingness to denounce Assad's regime in Syria, she has been an outstanding diplomat and a forceful advocate for our interests abroad. It is my hope that she continues to serve our nation.

“The election is over. Now is the time to put aside partisan politics and focus on making decisions to ensure our national security.”

 

###



Date Title
12/5/12 Rep. Adam Smith to Continue as House Armed Services Ranking Member
Date Title
11/19/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith Reacts to the Conflict in Israel, Gaza
11/16/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on Release of Ali Musa Daqduq
11/14/12 Current record
11/10/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement in Observance of Veterans Day
Date Title
9/29/12 Smith Responds to Attacks on Ambassador Susan Rice
9/20/12 Smith Statement on the Anniversary of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal
9/20/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Sequestration Hearing
9/19/12 Ranking Member Smith to Discuss U.S.-Russia Relations
9/14/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement on Sequestration Report
9/12/12 Ranking Member Smith Statement on Attack in Libya
9/12/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Operational Contracting Support Hearing
9/11/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement on Anniversary of September 11th
9/11/12 Ranking Member Smith to Discuss Detention Policy, Civil Liberties, National Security
9/5/12 Ranking Member Smith Statement on “Insider Attacks” in Afghanistan
Date Title
8/2/12 Ranking Member Smith, Chairman McKeon Statement Following Briefing on Sexual Assault Incidents at Lackland Air Force Base
8/1/12 Ranking Member Smith Expresses Displeasure with Tone of Sequestration Hearing
8/1/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement at Hearing with OMB Director Zients, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter
Date Title
7/30/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement on WARN Act Announcement
7/26/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith Applauds Senators Graham, Kyl for Stance on Sequestration
7/25/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith’s Statement at Joint Hearing with Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
7/18/12 Ranking Member Smith’s Statement at Hearing on Sequestration: Industry Perspectives
7/10/12 Ranking Member Adam Smith to Give Speech on National Security Challenges in Africa
Date Title
6/28/12 Smith Spearheads Effort for Equal Treatment of Military Spouses
6/25/12 Smith: Time for Republicans and Democrats to Work Together to Stop Sequestration