New Report Debunks Benghazi Conspiracy Theories

New Report Debunks Benghazi Conspiracy Theories

The House Intelligence Committee has spent nearly two years looking at every aspect of the Intelligence Community’s activities during and after the terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11, 2012, which killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.  The Committee recently released its final report.  In the words of the Republican Chair of the Committee, Rep. Rogers of Michigan, “the bipartisan panel concluded that there was no stand down order issued by or to the intelligence community personnel, and there was no denial of air support to intelligence community officers on the ground.”  The Committee report also shows there was no intelligence failure surrounding the Benghazi attacks.

Even with the results of this latest investigation in hand, House Speaker Boehner recently announced plans to commission yet another taxpayer-financed investigation of Benghazi, which would be the 8th investigation into these events. 

“No Social Security for Nazis Act” Clears House

Responding to recent revelations that some Nazi war criminals who moved to the United States after WWII were receiving Social Security benefits, Rep. Levin and other concerned lawmakers introduced legislation [H.R. 5739], the “No Social Security for Nazis Act.”  The bill stops Social Security benefit payments to those denaturalized due to participation in Nazi persecutions or who voluntarily renounced their citizenship as part of a settlement with the Department of Justice related to their participation in such persecutions.

“Congress never intended for Nazi war criminals and collaborators to be able to receive Social Security benefits.  This bipartisan legislation reaffirms that intent,” said Rep. Levin.  The House approved H.R. 5739 on December 2.

Rep. Levin Supports Resources Needed to Combat Ebola Outbreak

Rep. Levin recently joined over 60 of his House colleagues in writing a letter to the House Appropriations Committee to support the Obama Administration’s emergency funding request to strengthen the U.S. response to Ebola.  The Administration has requested $6.18 billion to be invested throughout various government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USAID, and the Department of Defense, to name a few.  These funds will enable to the United States to continue the vital and lifesaving work necessary to bring an end to the largest and most widespread outbreak of Ebola ever at its source in West Africa, safeguard the American public from further spread of the disease, and support the development of innovative treatments.

House Approves Girls Count Act

In some countries around the world, girls and women still struggle for the right to go to school, own property, and control their own destiny.  Rep. Levin has been a long-time supporter of legislation that would increase the agency of women around the world, and decrease discrimination and abuse.

On November 19, the House passed the Girls Count Act [H.R. 3398], which authorizes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of State to support and promote programs that will improve birth registration and vital statistics registration systems.  The bill also encourages those agencies to support programs that address discrimination against girls, and that enhance property rights for women.  H.R. 3398 is awaiting consideration in the U.S. Senate.