House Speaker John Boehner has tapped South Carolina Rep. Trey Gowdy to head a special committee investigating the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.

Boehner made the announcement in a statement on Monday. Boehner called the two-term congressman — who is a former prosecutor — dogged and focused.

Four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, were killed in the Sept. 11, 2012 attack. Republicans have accused the Obama administration of covering up the details and stonewalling Congress on the facts for political purposes.

Democrats have pointed to the multiple investigations, including a bipartisan Senate Intelligence committee probe, and insist that the GOP plans for a select committee is merely designed to energize the GOP base ahead of midterm elections.

(AP)