If the Republicans want to insert Benghazi into the debate concerning their government shutdown, perhaps we should discuss how their shutdown is jeopardizing the security improvements which they demanded after the attack.
During a press conference yesterday State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that the shutdown is delaying the training of extra security agents and infrastructure upgrades at embassies across the globe.
“I want to underscore that these include some of the same enhancements recommended by the accountability review board that followed the Benghazi attack,” Harf said. “So I think for a Congress that’s never missed an opportunity to talk about embassy security, this is a result of its inability to do its job.”
She said U.S. embassies and consulates would remain open at existing protection levels. But security improvements could be delayed.
And she didn’t stop there. She also tore into Congress for compromising many other commitments.
“So again, for a Congress that talks about its commitment to Israel, here’s the impact of its inability to its job,” Harf said. “And for all the talk in Congress about keeping up the sanctions pressure in Iran, Treasury’s office of foreign asset control, OFAC as we refer to it, has furloughed nearly all of its staff.”
Again, why are we going through this? Because House Republicans don’t want you to have healthcare. And because Speaker of the House John Boehner is too afraid of his own caucus to pass a clean continuing resolution.
(The Hill)