Speaker John Boehner announced that Representative Trey Gowdy (R., S.C.) has been chosen to head the select committee to investigate the September 2012 Benghazi attacks. Heralding Gowdy’s background as a federal prosecutor, Boehner called him the “ideal person” to serve as its chairman.
Gowdy, who also serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, has been one of the leading voices in investigating the attacks that left four Americans dead, and has impressed with his interrogation abilities in a range of congressional hearings.
“Trey Gowdy is as dogged, focused, and serious-minded as they come,” Boehner said in a statement. “This is a big job, but Representative Gowdy has the confidence of this conference, and I know his professionalism and grit will earn him the respect of the American people.”
Democrats are planning to vote against the creation of the committee, and some have suggested that Minority Leader Pelosi will not appoint any members of her party at all to serve on it.