Democrat: GOP ‘trying to run the clock’ on Benghazi probe

Republicans on the House Select Committee investigating the Benghazi attacks are “trying to run the clock” on a potential appearance by Hillary Clinton to influence the 2016 presidential election, according Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).

“Obviously they think this will be advantageous in terms of the presidential election, and I’m concerned with how this is being drawn out,” he said during an interview with CNN’s “New Day.”

Rep. Elijah Cummings (Md.), the panel’s top Democrat, on Tuesday said Clinton is willing to appear before the committee to testify about the Benghazi attacks, which happened when she was secretary of State.

{mosads}But Republicans on the panel, led by Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), say they won’t be ready to hear from Clinton until the State Department provides all of the documents and witness testimony that they have requested for their investigation.

The State Department on Wednesday sent a letter to Gowdy that said agency officials are ready to meet “as soon as today” to arrange interviews with 22 people the former prosecutor has said he wants to speak to about the attacks.

Schiff, who is one of five Democrats on the select committee, questioned Gowdy’s reasoning, noting the GOP-controlled panel waited six months to request any documents from the State Department.

“I fear that they’re trying to run the clock so that they can push this further into the presidential cycle,” he said.

Benghazi is a politically charged subject for Clinton, the front-runner for the Democratic nomination in 2016. Republicans have blasted her handling of the attacks and argue the security failure at the U.S. complex in Libya is a black mark on her record.

An appearance before the select committee would be Clinton’s third Capitol Hill appearance on the attacks that left four Americans dead, and it could provide fodder for Republicans just as the race for the White House begins.

Schiff said he doubts that another Clinton appearance is necessary.

“Honestly, so much of the facts are known and have been described in great detail by the Accountability Review Board and about eight other investigations, I’m not sure there’s much new that the secretary can tell us,” Schiff said.