WASHINGTON, D.C. –In a continued effort to keep Mainers informed of his work in the nation’s capital, U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) sat down to report on this past week’s events in the U.S. Senate and offer a brief preview of the upcoming week. Senator King primarily addressed:

• This week’s Armed Services Committee hearing, where he questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, about the events surrounding the attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, as well as the devastating impact of sequestration on Maine and the nation.  Video of Senator King’s questions can be found here and downloaded here.

• This week’s Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing for John O. Brennan, the President’s nominee to lead the CIA – particularly the importance of the CIA Director maintaining an open relationship with Congressional Intelligence Committees and the Senator’s concern with targeted drone strikes.  Video of Senator King’s questions can be found here and downloaded here. 

Additionally, Senator King today sent a letter to Senators Feinstein and Chambliss, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence respectively, requesting that the Intelligence Committee consider legislation to provide an appropriate check on the executive branch’s procedure for determining whether using lethal force in a foreign country against a U.S. citizen would be lawful.  More information can be found here.

• Next week’s closed hearings with Mr. Brennan and work to address the budget.

The full video can be viewed here or downloaded here.