GOP wants Benghazi answers from Obama

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Republican lawmakers called on U.S. President Barack Obama to provide more information on his response to September attacks on national interests in Libya.

U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three of his staff members died in an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, last year.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faced tough questioning over security for foreign service workers. Her successor, John Kerry, vowed to do more when he took office earlier this month.

"It is critical that we have a full understanding of American actions taken before, during, and after the attack," a letter from U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., and John McCain, R-Ariz., read.

They asked specifically if Obama requested assistance from the Libyan government during the attack.

Graham told CBS News' "Face the Nation" he was considering blocking votes on former Sen. Hagel, R-Neb., who was nominated to be secretary of defense, and John Brennan, Obama's pick to lead the CIA, in part because of concerns over the Benghazi attack.

In a 14-to-11 vote Tuesday, the Senate Armed Services Committee advanced Hagel's nomination to the Senate floor.

Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., said Hagel has "critically important qualifications" that make him the right choice to lead the Department of Defense.