Positive, because we couldnt have your baby fail. Same day you have jay carney saying this was no way a preplanned attack and the experts in libya talking saying it was a wellplanned attack, that same day the talking point that gets susan rice getting ready for the sunday shows. Make sure you focus on the video not about a broader policy failure. After all we have an election coming in 50some days. Well, congressman, i believe to this day the video played a role but your experts didnt. There were many experts, if you looked you probably havent had an opportunity to read the excellent report issued by the democrats. But on september 13th, the Intelligence Committee issued its first thorough assessment on what happened in benghazi. It says we assess the attacks on the u. S. Consulate and the attacks in benghazi began spontaneously. There was no contradiction. The protests, because there was a video is there a contradiction right here there is no contradiction. How about this contradiction . Wellplanned attack, no preplanned attack, one of them is well planned, one is not. Jay carney says there was no preplanned attack, and the experts in libya say there was. Well, the experts in libya looked and analyzed it. We went on the basis of the Intelligence Community and they were scrambling to get all the information they could. And yes, the Intelligence Community assessment served as the basis for what ambassador rice said when she appeared on the sunday show. And on september 18th, when the video footage arrived from the security cameras the deputy cia director has testified it was not until september 18th, when the cia received the libyan governments assessment of video footage that showed the front of the facility with no sign of protesters that it became clear we needed to revisit our analysis. And then, after they looked at the video footage and fbi reporting from interviews of personnel on the ground in benghazi during the attacks the cia changed its assessment. And that was explained thoroughly in the bipartisan report issued by the House Permanent Select Committee on intelligence which did a very thorough job, congressman. Gentleman yields back, well take a quick break for ten minutes, ten seconds i just wanted to point out that the Ranking Member is actually incorrect. The august 17th memo that i referred to in my last question we have not had the opportunity to discuss with secretary clinton and how it affected her decision. And it was just classified last week. All right, with that well take a 10minute break and come back. And while theyre taking this tenminute break as announced by the chair you can join us by phone. Democrats, and independents and all others, get right to your phone calls since this is just a tenminute break. We have leilani, from norwalk, connecticut. Caller good evening, actually, im calling i have to say that im very, very pleased with how Hillary Clinton has handled herself. She has handled herself like the president that she will be. This is again as many people pointed out, absolutely nothing but a bipartisan witchhunt, trey gowdy and Elijah Cummings having to come to her defense. Its really sad, they should focus their time trying to find somebody who wants to be speaker of the house, to run their conference and run their caucus and to try to legitimately Work Together. This is a waste of taxpayer dollars. I dont recall nancy pelosi when she took over in 2006 beating a dead horse with what we already knew to be true. The issue is that the republicans have tried to use this to hurt Hillary Clinton. This is disgraceful. But hillary has handled herself the way that she needed to do. And im looking forward to seeing her i dont think we have had a woman handle herself and be as prepared and ready for the world state since margaret thatcher, and im very happy. Thank you. Thank you for the call. Well be covering the Jefferson Jackson dinner on saturday night. As expected the democratic president ial candidates including Hillary Clinton so if you do want to hear more about her on the National Stage definitely join us then. 9 00 p. M. Eastern, well take you to washington live for that. For now, taking a live call, gary is joining us from michigan. Sorry, gary caller that is okay. And im very proud of the way the republicans are trying to get to the truth behind this whole benghazi situation. And everything that happened. Its obvious it should be obvious to every american out there i mean, the lady is sitting there lying and not telling the truth and the democrats are sitting there like theyre auditioning for in case she gets to be president , vice president. And as a member of her cabinet. I mean, i thought this whole thing was to get to the truth. And theyre auditioning because if theyre going to be working with her in two years. And gary have you been watching most of the day . Is there anything that really came out that impressed you or intrigued you about the testimony you have heard . Yes, what trey gowdy was getting to. I mean, you know the whole situation is she never responded. I mean, and then sitting there lying or not coming forward when she knows she didnt tell the truth about the video and she knew it was a terrorist attack. When you tell your family that its a terrorist attack, then turn around and tell the American People that you have to answer to that you know, its because of a video. You know, something just is not right. And i mean i just wish they would get to the bottom of it you know, end the thank you for the call there. Want to get a couple of more calls there. Again, theyre in a tenminute break in the Benghazi Special committee hearing. We want to get phone calls, vincent, waiting patiently on the line, from safety harbor, florida. Caller thank you for taking my call. Again im going to focus on the video. And president ial candidate clinton has a very short memory. As i recall after the attack, both the president and Hillary Clinton were on air touting the fact that the attack was caused by a video. They incarcerated that operator of the video, i dont know if he is still in jail or not. And what happened to free speech all right, well get more calls while the committee is on break. Hi, charles. Caller hi, how are you doing . Im glad i tuned into cspan today. The chairman and the last republican first of all the chairman appears to be sneaky. Im proud of Elijah Cummings for pointing out that he would the chairman would release the whole memos he wanted him to. Im shocked that they used a 17yearold report to try to bring down hillary. If you notice both the chairman in this last Congress Meeting they were trying to grill hillary, kept interrupting her with senseless points. She had comfoe forth with the situation as she knew it. They seem to not understand that the situation was a fluid situation, and changing daily. They were quoting one days information on the third day. And using it as a point to try to make the secretary look bad. But all she was going by was what the Intelligence Committee was giving her intelligence professionals were giving her, any time the cia came back and changed their report with the assessment, it shows you that things were just they were not all understandable at the time they went down. And another thing i have noticed about the chair. He seems to be the one that is being questioned. I dont understand this. All right, lets get a call in here from washington state. Linda is on the line. Caller yes. And republican, go ahead, linda. Caller hi, you know what . The former guy talked about how disgusted he was with the republicans. Im so disgusted with the democrats up there. And hillary should win an award for best actress. I mean, when she gets into the sad parts and you know i have seen her talk so many times i cant even stand to watch her on tv anymore. You can see she is lying. First off, when trey gowdy was questioning her about unsolicited emails, he nails her with youre responding, doing a great job, keep them coming, yadaya, when it started out it was unsolicited. She just flat out and said they were all unsolicited. Which was a lie, a total lie. You just have to be really careful of watching this and detecting the lies because you can see them blatantly throughout the show. I dont care if youre republican, democrat, whatever, all you want is the truth. They have had to do nothing. The republicans have had had to do everything to pull all of this information together. No other boards did that. No other committees did that. This committee did because of trey gowdy. He wants the truth for the American People. And the state department has just dragged their feet. Hillary has dragged her feet. Just everything. And so and then the democrats up there are talking about how much it cost in 17 months. Well, that is not because of the republicans. Its because the democratic side has dragged their feet and not be forthright. And as we are waiting for things to resume, were told theyre going to be taking a tenminute break, we should be back to the hearing momentarily. In the meantime, getting your phone calls and take on what happened to this today in the several hours long hearing starting early. Paul is on the line from issaquah. My uncle is the first elected black senator. I watched his political debate and everything that is happening. What i want to tell American People we are brothers and sisters under one flag. We all have faults and things we dont do correctly. But we are perfect as a union, we have to accept each other for what we can and can not do. Hillary clinton is a political machine. She knows what she is doing. She is not going to come out there and give anything new that is going to make the republicans win. We are being distracted, spending money we shouldnt spend. Today, im calling from the democrat line because im disappointed in the Republican Party paul, your party is the Republican Party . Caller yes, and what happens now, im changing my mind. Until today i never felt like supporting Hillary Clinton. She has been a strong woman, of character, integrity, at least inside of her message she is winning right now. And trey gowdy, as good as people think he is and as good as people think he is running his Political Campaign he is sweating the most of anybody today. Let me just bring up this article here today from usa today. Kind of talking about what you were talking about today. The first hearing, the benghazi chaos could actually help Hillary Clinton, you look a little further down here, Hillary Clintons testimony before a special House Benghazi Committee offered fodder for partisans in both party, the damage to her party, that the republicans are looking for. Democrats jousted from the start in an effort to smear clinton. Clinton largely left to her democratic allies the work on the committee, to discredit the work as political. Take your phone calls, while theyre in a break in the Benghazi Committee room. Welcome, david. Caller hi, i would like to know why there is not a white caucus in congress. And also i have did you say right caucus . Caller a white caucus. We have a black caucus, we have a mexican caucus. We dont have a white caucus. I would like to know why. And also i have watched the clintons since they first got into politics. I think most people are aware of it. I commend gowdy for the job he has done today. And i think that hillary showed her true colors, thank you very much. Sure, david there from arizona. I want to remind you, too, if you want to tune in we have a number of ways to watch. You can watch it right here on cspan 3, also on radio, also a number of ways you can watch, one that has a dual stream. You can go live to cspan. Org. And then also use our app. You can find that on line, as well. Going to huntington beach, is it california . Ron, on the line. Caller thank you for taking my call. Im a true historical independent. You can see that these people on camera are genuine enemies of each other. This is the natural progression of partybased government, polarization. I will speak of what one founder said. He warned us about Political Parties saying now let me take a comprehensive view and warn you against the baneful spirit of parties generally. However combinations and associations may now answer popular ends theyre likely in the course of time to become potent engines by which cunning and subversive men will be able to usurp themselves and destroy the government which lifts themselves up. The ultimate domination of one faction over another sharpened by the spirit of revenge naturally leads to party dissension. The common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. Now, ron what does this mean to you in terms of this committee and what you have been seeing today . Caller well, look, what i was going to say, i wrote all of this down so i could say it quickly. Okay. Caller but unlike what the High School Civics teacher tells you or what the science professor will tell you or the media or any partisan person will tell you, the founders didnt belong to two parties. They warned us this would lead to the garbage we see today. Got you, we now have the Ranking Member back in the room today. And hearing the Benghazi Select Committee and more testimony from Hillary Clinton, as well. Lets get a call in here from buffalo, new york, carol is on the line, democrat. Caller hi, im so glad you took my call here. It makes me so disturbed that im listening to what theyre trying to do to Hillary Clinton. How theyre saying she is lying. She is trying to tell the truth. And there is so much blown out of proportion that theyre not listening to what she is trying to say. Its like when 9 11 happened and they knew this was happening by a report that came out. And in fact, in august, he knew about what was going to come to us. And he did nothing. And so all of these lives that have died for 9 11, are we going after bush and cheney and saying you should be liable for all of this . And maybe push a committee to find out what really happened there . And were in a last war that we should not have been in. With president obama im surprised they havent even attacked him really on this. But the goal is so much after hillary because they dont want to see a woman there. They dont want to see a democrat. Im so sick of republicans who try to say democrats are always so wrong but they should look in the mirror and look at themselves. Thanks for the call, independent line, john is calling, round rock, texas. Caller thank you for taking my call. Im wondering why were looking so much at the benghazi scandal and the email scandal. It already is confirmed she had classified mail go through, which is very illegal. I wonder why there is nobody looking into the clinton owner of a plane who was a known leader of a child prostitution ring. And a gunshot wound to the attack of the head on a woman who is bill clintons mistress, thank you for taking my call. And on the email side of things, and one report, unknown to clinton, there were emails stored on the cloud. Now, lets look at this, as we take a look back now at some of Hillary Clintons Opening Statements earlier. Well take you live to the hearing room once things get started there. I traveled to 112 countries as secretary of state. Every i time i did, i did it with great pride and honor representing the country that i love. We need leadership at home to match our leadership abroad. Leadership that puts National Security ahead of politics and ideology. Our nation has a long history of bipartisan cooperation on Foreign Policy and National Security. Not that we always agree, far from it. But we do come together when it counts. As secretary of state i worked together with the Foreign Relations committee to pass a Nuclear Arms Treaty with russia. I worked with the republican leader, senator Mitch Mcconnell to open up burma, now myanmar. I know its possible to Work Together on common great. We should Work Together on facts, not fear. And resist denigrating the loyalty of those with whom we disagree. So im here to honor those we lost and to do what i can to aid those who serve us still. My challenge to you, members of this committee, is the same challenge i put to myself. Lets be worthy of the trust the American People put on us. They expect us to lead, to reach for statesmanship. That is what i tried to do every day as secretary of state. That is what i tried to do today and hope for the future. Some of Hillary Clintons Opening Statements, lets get a call in here from north carolina, markey, republican, god. Caller thank you, i just want to talk about how the democrats say this is a witch hunt. That is a little weird, because im not calling her a witch, but who they say the person were having a witch hunt against, the person in front of us, its not really a witch hunt. I want to talk about the money, if your husband or brother or lets say wife or daughter were killed, there would be no amount of money. They would be priceless. And also i talked to you guys put a tweet of somebody saying no one would vote because of this. I think that somebody like hillary, where its been proved to be corruption. My mothers and grandmothers generation, i think a lot of women are not going to vote for hillary at this time. All right, grainger, indiana. Caller hi, thank you for taking my call. I was watching, and watching jordan go back and forth about the night of the attack you said this about the video. And then the next morning you said this. Im a mother, my daughter she hurt her ankle in a volleyball game. They took her sorry, we do have to go, susan, looks like Hillary Clinton coming back in the hearing room. Well take your calls and anymore breaks when this wraps up. But well return here to the select committee on benghazi. Welcome back, madam secretary, the chair will recognize the gentleman from illinois, mr. Roscoe. Thank you, the other side has admonished the republicans for not having a theory. Let me tell you a little bit of a theory that i have developed from my reading and research and listening today. And its this. That you initiated a policy to put the United States into libya as the secretary of state. And you overcame a number of obstacles within the administration to advocate for military action. And you were successful in doing that. Ultimately the decision was the president s as you acknowledge. But you were the prime mover. You were the one driving, even in something called the clinton doctrine. And you were concerned about image and credit which is not something unfamiliar to people in public life. But then i think something happened. And my theory is that after Moammar Gadhafis death, then i think your interest and attention waned. And i think the emails that mrs. Brooks put forth, you had an answer and that was look i got a lot of information from a lot of different places. But i think you basically gave a victory lap, sort of a Mission Accomplished quote in october 30th, 2011 in the washington post. This is what you said, very declarative. We set into motion a policy on the right side of history, on the right side of our values and Strategic Interests in the region. It has all of the feel of a victory lap. But there was a problem. And the problem, madam secretary was that there were storm clouds gathering. And the storm clouds that were gathering was a deteriorating security situation in benghazi. And you had a lot to lose if benghazi unravelled. If libya unravelled, you had had a lot to lose, based on the victories, the sunday shows, based on the favorable accolades that were coming. If it went the wrong direction it would be on you. And if it was stable and it was the right direction you were the beneficiary of that. So the question is, how is it possible that these urgent requests that came in, how did they not break through to the very upper levels of your inner circle . People who are here today, people who served you . How did those requests from two ambassadors, ambassador kretz and ambassador stevens that came in on these dates, june, july, of 2012, how did those break through . You told us they were not your job, basically, you said you were not responsible. But here is in theory. To admit the need for more security was to admit that there was a deteriorating situation. And to admit a deteriorating situation didnt fit your narrative of a successful Foreign Policy. Where did i get that wrong . Congressman, look, we knew that libyas transition from the brutal dictatorship of Moammar Gadhafi, which basically destroyed or undermined every institution in the country would be challenging and we planned accordingly. We worked closely with the libyan people, with our allies in europe. With our neighbors in the region to make sure we tried to get position to help the libyan people. And yes, the volatile security in libya complicated the efforts. And ill speak for myself, i absolutely did not forget about libya after Moammar Gadhafi fell. We worked together and offered a wide range of technical assistance. We were very much involved in helping them provide their first parliamentary election. That was quite an accomplishment. A lot of other countries that were postconflict did not have anything like the positive elections that libya did. In july of 2012, the Transitional Government handed over power to a new General National Congress in august. We were doing everything we could think of to help libya succeed. We tried to bolster the effectiveness of the interim government and worked very hard to get rid of the chemical weapons, worked very hard with the transitioning government in libya. And february 2014, we had assistance in destroying the last of Moammar Gadhafis weapons. We were combatting the spread of antiaircraft shoulderfired missiles because of the danger that they posed to commercial aircraft. And we were providing assistance, some of which i discussed earlier with congresswoman roby. We had humanitarian assistance. We brought people for help to europe. And to the United States. But much of awwhat we offered, despite our best efforts, we had the Prime Minister come to washington in 2012. Much of what we offered was difficult for the libyans to understand how we accepted. I stayed in close contact, both of my deputies went there. We talked with the libyan leadership frequently by phone from washington and communicated regularly. I have said with our team based in tripoli and all of this focused on trying to help stand up a new interim government. And we were making progress on demilitarization, demobilization, trying to integrate the militia fighters on libyabased weapons. It was important to recognize. I was ultimately responsibility for security, the responsibility for what happened in benghazi what does that mean when you say you took responsibility . When mr. Westmoreland asked you that question you said contracting and so forth. What does that mean . If you are responsible, what action would you have done differently. What do you own as a result so far ive heard one dismissive thing after another. It was this group, it was that group. I was not served by this. What did you do . What do you own . Well, i was just telling you some of the many related issues i was working on to try to help the libyan people. What is your responsibility to benghazi . That is my question . Well, my responsibility was to be briefed and to discuss with the Security Experts and the policy experts whether we would have a post in benghazi. Whether we would continue it. Whether we would make it permanent. And as i have said repeatedly throughout the day no one ever recommended closing the post in benghazi. No one recommended closing but you had two ambassadors that made several, several requests and here is basically what happened to their requests. They were torn up. Well, that is just not true, congressman. I know madam secretary, they didnt get through. It didnt help them. Were those responded to . Is that your testimony today . Many were responded to, there were affirmative responses you laid this on Chris Stevens, didnt you . You said earlier, he knows where to pull the levers, so arent you implying that it is his responsibility to figure out how he is supposed to be secure, because Chris Stevens knows how to pull the levers . Is that your testimony . Ambassadors are the ones who pass on security recommendations and requests. That is true throughout the world. And when he does, and theyre not responded to what is his remedy if theyre not responded to . What is his remedy if its no . As i testified earlier, he was in regular email contact with some of my closest advisers. Is that it he was in regular email contact and cable contact cables didnt get through. You created an environment, madam secretary, where the cables couldnt get through, now that is inaccurate, cables as we testified they didnt get through to you, and break into your inner circle, you cant say all of this information came in to me. And i was able to process it and yet it all stops at the Security Professionals. Well, that is not what i was saying. Congressman, that is not what i was saying. Congressman, we tried to clarify millions of cables come in. Theyre processed and sent to the appropriate offices and personnel they didnt get through. They didnt make any difference. They couldnt break into the inner circle of decisionmaking. Now, let me draw your attention in closing to testimony although gave before the House Foreign Affairs committee in january 2013. And you said some wonderful things about ambassador stevens, similar to what you said in your Opening Statement today. And they were words that were warm and inspirational. And reflecting on his bravery. But i think in light of the facts that have come out since your testimony. And i think in light of things that the committee has learned, he is even braver than you acknowledged. In january 2013, this is what you said to congress, nobody knew the dangers or the opportunities better than chris. During the first revolution and then the transition, a weak libyan government, marauding militias, even terrorist groups, a bomb exploded in his parking lot hotel. He never waivered or asked to come home or said shut it down, lets go somewhere else. Because he understood it was pivotal for america to be represented at the time. Secretary clinton, you should have added this. Chris stevens kept faith in the state department that i headed even when we broke faith with him. He accepted my invitation to work in benghazi even though he was denied the security we implored to give him. We breached our fundamental duty to mitigate his danger and secure his safety. And that of glenn dougherty, shawn smith, and woods, would that be accurate . I would not say that. I think it is a disservice for you to make that statement, congressman. And who does it disserve . Well, it is a disservice of how hard the people who are given the responsibility of making these tough security decisions the people that were disciplined, did they keep faith with Chris Stevens . No. Well, Chris Stevens was someone who had a commitment to our presence in libya there was no question. And we want to honor that there is no question. By continuing to do what we can to support the libyan peoples transition. It is very much in my view in americas interest to continue to try to do so. I yield back. The gentlemans time has expired. The chair will recognize the gentle lady from illinois, ms. Duckworth. Thank you, mr. Chairman, i want to talk a little bit more about what has been done for embassy security, personnel Diplomatic Security since then. My understanding in benghazi, there were some security improvements that were made. Could you talk about some of those . Both prior to the attacks as well as some other things you said alluded to with more ventilation in the safe rooms, some of those things . Yeah, there were a number of security improvements that were made to the facility, again, there was emphasis on trying to work on the outer walls, to try to create a more effective guard. There was an effort to try to make sure that the facility itself was hardened so that it could withstand attacks, if that came to pass. It was in a series of decisions made by the Security Professionals in november of 2011, our people in benghazi said they needed to hire additional local guards, money was approved that day. In december of that year they asked for money to buy jersey barriers. The funds were sent that week. In january of 2012, the rso, meaning a Regional Security officer requested that all personnel deploying to tripoli and benghazi for 30 days repeat the Foreign AffairsTraining Course which was soon implemented. Also in january 2012 they asked for money for sandbag, security lights, steel door upgrades, re re reinforced car barriers, later that month they were sent response equipment. In february of 2012 they requested support for a major renovation of the walls surrounding the complex, including making the walls higher, adding wire, laying barbed wire. That project was completed. In march 2012 they asked to construct two guard positions. That was completed. In april 2012 they needed help from experts and security, by may, a special team visited to handle special security and lighting. In june, 2012, following the ied incident, immediately a Regional Team was sent to enhance the position, and additional funding was approved for more guards. In july 2012 they said that they needed a minimum of three American Security officers in benghazi. From then on through july, august and september they always had three, four or five american ds agents overseeing the expansion of contingent guards on site. Those are just some of the responses, congresswoman, that were provided specifically for benghazi. Thank you. We know that short of putting people in bunkers and never allowing them outside of Embassy Compounds were going to have some sort of threat to our Diplomatic Security personnel. I mean, obviously, it was not enough. What i would like to know is in light of that what efforts have been put into provide for contingency operations, especially for known potentially volatile periods in the year. We know that september or other times will be volatile. Would you talk a little bit about what you would have done and put in place and any difficulties you may have come across in coordinating with the dod, intelligence agencies across the government. I know this is not a secure room so we cant talk about things that are rated secret. But september 11th is coming. Part of the moving the aircraft carriers nearby, are we putting aircraft on a leash, with one aircraft on a twohour leash . What are we doing . Gearing up ready to go. What is going on in light of the Lessons Learned at benghazi, and what did you personally direct to happen, especially at your level of interagency cooperation . An excellent question and really at the heart of what i hope will come out of this and the prior investigations. In december of 2014, assistant secretary star from the state department testified before the select committee that 25 of the 29 recommendations made had been completed. And a september 2013 inspector generals report noted that the arb recommendations were made in a way that was quickly taken seriously. And that i took charge directly of oversight for the implementation process. Here are some examples, more Diplomatic Security and dod personnel are on the ground at our facilities today. We have increased the skills and competentsy for agencies by increasing the training time in the high threat course. Weve expanded the Foreign Affairs counter threat course so that the skills are shared by not just the Diplomatic Security agents but people like Chris Stevens and shawn smith, as well. Weve also been working hard to up the interagency cooperation. The interagency security teams that you asked about earlier, congresswoman, that is a continuing commitment that we are working on. And i know because of this terrible tragedy, dod is much more focused on what needs to be thought through with respect to planning and reaction. You know, we had problems in the past with the pastor from florida, terry jones, inciting riots and protests that resulted in the deaths of people, including u. N. And others who were stationed in afghanistan. So were trying to stay in very close touch between the state department and dod. In that case, secretary gates called him and asked him please not to get involved in what he was doing because it was dangerous to our troops and our civilians. Unfortunately, he has a mind apparently of his own. We are trying to have a closer coordinated planning and response effort. With respect to your specific questions that are really within the purview of the department of defense like the deployment of certain navy vessels, air wings and the like, i think dod is trying hard to think about how particularly in north africa and the middle east they can respond because one of the claims that was made that was proven to be untrue was that dod withheld sending air support, and indeed the closest air support that would have been in any way relevant was too far away so theyre trying to think about how they better deploy and station various assets so that they can have a quicker response time. Ive not been involved intimately in this now for two years i guess more than two years, so i cant speak directly but i know that this was part of the important work that was under way when i left. You spoke about you thank you. You spoke about you making personal phone calls to ask for help from the heads of local government. And you spoke a lot about the power of the chief of the mission, the trust that you put in to these professionals that are there. So when an embassy comes under attack, especially after this benghazi attack, from this time forward do ambassadors do they need to call you to ask for help from other agencies of u. S. Government . Or do they have the ability if theres a dod if there is a cia or dod force nearby, a marine fast team, for example, does the ambassador have to come through security or do they need to call you to have you call for that . How does that work . No. And theres an example out of the benghazi attack. There was a preexisting understanding between the diplomatic compound and the cia annex. There was no need for anybody at the compound to call washington to alert the cia annex. They immediately contacted the cia annex and they sprang into action to try to come to the assistance of our team at the compound. So theres were trying to have more preexisting arrangements like that, and that goes to your question. If there are assets in the region, how do we plan for contingencies so that they can be immediately triggered and try to respond. I obviously spoke to the white house, i spoke to general petraeus, i spoke to lots of other people that evening trying to get whatever help we could get. We did get a surveillance plane above the location, but it took some time to get there. It had to be diverted it was an unarmed drone. Correct . Yes. It was unarmed uav. So we asked for everything we could get and everybody immediately tried to provide it but i think now theres more awareness that maybe we should be doing these scenarios ahead of time to try to figure out what could be done without having to reinvent it every time. Thank you. Im out of time, mr. Chairman. Thank the gentle lady from illinois. Chair would now recognize the gentle woman from indiana. Thank you, madam secretary. Im going to follow up on what the congresswoman from illinois is discussing, which is facility. And i appreciate the laundry list that you just listed with respect to the security improvements or whatever happened with respect to benghazi. But i have to ask you if youre familiar with the fact that in the wake of the 1998 bombing attacks in nairobi, Congress Passed the secure Embassy Construction and counterterrorism act which requires the secretary of state to issue a waiver if under two conditions. If the u. S. Government personnel work in separate facilities, or if u. S. Overseas facilities do not meet the security setback distances specified by the bureau of Diplomatic Security. Pt law specifies that only the secretary of state may sign these waivers, and that requirement is not to be delegated. Was a waiver issued for the temporary mission in benghazi and the cia annex after the temporary Mission Compound was authorized through december of 2012, and did you sign that waiver, madam secretary . I think the cia annex i had no responsibility for. So i cannot speak to what the decisions were with respect to the cia annex. That is something that i know other committees have but but acknowledge you were responsible for the temporary Mission Compound. Yes, of course. But you put them together. I just wanted to clarify that i had no responsibility for the cia annex obviously. The compound in benghazi was neither an embassy nor a consulate. Those are the only two facilities for which we would obtain a formal diplomatic notification, and those were the only kinds of facilities that we would have sought waivers for at the time because we were trying to, as has been testified to earlier, understand whether we were going to have a Permanent Mission or not. That means you have to survey available facilities, try to find a secure facility, and the standards that are set by the inner agency overseas policy board are the goals we try to drive for. But it is very difficult, if not impossible, to do that in the immediate aftermath of a conflict situation. The temporary mission in benghazi was set up to try to find out what was going on in the area, to work with the cia, where appropriate, and to make a decision as to whether there would be a permanent facility. So we could not have met the goals under the overseas Security Policy board, nor could we have issued a waiver because we had to set up operations in order to make the assessments as to whether or not we would have a Permanent Mission, whether that mission would remain open, and we made extensive and constant improvements to the physical security, some of which i mentioned before. Thank you. So it is obvious that a waiver was not signed and youve given a defense as to why a waiver was not signed, and it was temporary because it was made up. It was something different. Compound had never become official. And so therefore, you did not sign a waiver which, when most of our people are stationed in such dangerous places let me get into that with respect to it the dangerous places. We know that libya, youve testified before was incapable of providing host nation support. And that involves protecting our diplomats and other u. S. Government officials who travel there. So if the libyan people didnt have a government capable of providing security, and we didnt have u. S. Military in libya, then we have two options. We either leave when it gets too dangerous, or the state department makes sure that they provide that protection. I want to just chat with you a little bit about the fact that when ambassador stephvens returd there in late may after being named ambassador, less than four months later he was killed. But the number of Violent Attacks that occurred that summer are off the charts. Theyre against westerners. Id like you to refer to tab 6. It is a 51page document prepared by your head security guy in libya for security incidents serious security incidents between june 2011 and july 2012. 51 pages long, 235 significant security incidents. 235 attacks in one year. In benghazi there were 77 serious attacks in one year. 64 in 2012. Let me just tale you, as i flip through this im not talking benghazi, as i showed earlier, it is a large city. About the size of d. C. Or boston. Im not talking about Violent Attacks like every day robberies, burglaries, holdups. Im talking about assassination attempts and assassinations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on the red cross, the red cross gave up and pulled out. The people who always go in when disaster strikes. They pulled out. That doesnt include 20 other major incidents. Bombings on police departments. The courts. Think about this. If youre in the city of washington, d. C. , or boston, and were now over in benghazi and all of these types of bombings are happening and these security incidents are happening, there are hundreds more actually i could talk with you about but, frankly, i dont have time. I hope i painted the picture because im baffled. You sent Chris Stevens to libya and to benghazi and, granted, he never raised the flag and said, i want out, and granted, he never said, shut down benghazi. And i understand and appreciate that you deferred to him, but you also, madam secretary we have no record of you ever talking to him, that you never talked to him personally after may of it 2012 when you swore him in as our ambassador. Am i wrong . Did you ever talk to ambassador stevens when all of this was going on in the hotbed of libya . That is a yes or no question, madam secretary. Im sorry