Rep. Trey Gowdy will head a special committee tasked with investigating the White House response to the Sept. 11, 2012, attack on a U.S. consulate in Benghazi , Libya, Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio announced Monday.  

South Carolina Republican Gowdy, a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, a 49-year-old former federal prosecutor and a beneficiary of the 2010 tea party wave, is known as a sharp and effective communicator. He is well respected among House conservatives.  

“Trey Gowdy is as dogged, focused, and serious-minded as they come. His background as a federal prosecutor and his zeal for the truth make him the ideal person to lead this panel. I know he shares my commitment to get to the bottom of this tragedy and will not tolerate any stonewalling from the Obama administration,” Boehner said in a statement.  

He added, “I plan to ensure he and his committee have the strongest authority possible to root out all the facts. This is a big job, but Rep. Gowdy has the confidence of this conference, and I know his professionalism and grit will earn him the respect of the American people.”  

It is unclear if the committee would have any powers beyond those held by existing House committees that have been investigating the administration’s response to the 2012 attack.  

The House will vote later this week to empanel the special committee.  

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