Ted Cruz introduces legislation to Offer Reward on Benghazi Terrorists who've been deliberately excluded from State Department's 'Rewards for Justice' program

Republican lawmakers have questioned why Al Qaeda terrorists involved in the Benghazi attacks were excluded from the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program, a program which offers huge cash payments for tips leading to the capture of wanted terrorists.

Some have questioned whether this is more evidence that the Obama administration wishes to minimize the terrorism angle, and the Al Qaeda connection, in the Benghazi attacks.

Similarly, I noted last month that a State Department report, detailing the terror activities of Muhammad Jamal al Kashef - who previously served as a bodyguard to Al Qaeda chief - omitted Mr. Kashef's involvement in the Benghazi attacks.

Once again the aforementioned question arises.

Nevertheless, Senator Ted Cruz Thursday, introduced legislation to counter the State Department's refusal to include the the Benghazi terrorists in the Rewards for Justice program.

A press release issued by Sen. Cruz on Thursday noted:

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today introduced legislation to require the Secretary of State to offer a reward of up to $5 million for information on the Benghazi attacks or information that leads to the capture and prosecution of a suspect.

"The State Department's Rewards for Justice Program exists to help the U.S. identify and apprehend its enemies, but the Obama Administration has not used it to pursue the terrorists who attacked our personnel in Benghazi," Cruz said. "This legislation enables the Secretary of State to offer a substantial reward for information leading to the apprehension and prosecution of the suspects who have been identified.

The Rewards for Justice program has been a visible and successful element in the ongoing battle against terrorism. Since 1984, over $125 million has been distributed to more than 80 people.

To date, there has been no reward offered for the Benghazi terrorist suspects under the Rewards for Justice Program. Earlier this week, the State Department announced that they are giving out up to $5 million in exchange for info on drug lords. They did this without any new authorizing or appropriating legislation.

Last year, then-Senator Kerry and Senator Coons offered similar legislation to expand the Rewards for Justice program to help capture Joseph Kony. This bill passed the Senate unanimously and was enacted into law last year.

h/t - Washington Free Beacon