Report on Benghazi may come next year

WASHINGTON - A GOP-led committee investigating the 2012 attacks on Americans in Benghazi, Libya, and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's role in subsequent events, is signaling that its final report could slip to just months before the presidential election if the Obama administration delays producing documents and witnesses.

A spokesman for Rep. Trey Gowdy of South Carolina, chairman of the Benghazi panel, said Wednesday that Gowdy still hopes to complete the committee's work by the end of this year, but said factors "we don't control" could delay the report, including a lack of responsiveness by the administration.

Gowdy "wants this done by the end of the year," spokesman Jamal Ware said, but factors including witness availability, compliance with document requests and security clearances "could continue to impact the timing of the inquiry's conclusion."

A lawyer for Clinton, meanwhile, said Wednesday that Clinton is prepared to publicly answer questions regarding the attacks and her e-mail use as soon as possible.

"There is no reason to delay her appearance or to have her testify in a private interview," lawyer David Kendall said in a letter to Gowdy. Gowdy has previously said he wants to interview Clinton twice - once in private and once at a public hearing.

Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta accused Republicans on the panel of playing politics.

"Sadly, Republicans are determined to continue to exploit this tragedy in an effort to try and hurt her campaign," Podesta said.

The back and forth between the GOP panel and Clinton's attorney came as House Speaker John A. Boehner (R., Ohio) said Wednesday the administration was not cooperating with the Benghazi panel, making it difficult to gather all the facts.