Clinton said the attack was more than just policy, but personal. (Center for American Progress Fund/Flickr)

"As I have said many times since Sept. 11, I take responsibility," said Clinton, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Nobody is more committed to getting this right. I am determined to leave the State Department and our country safer, stronger and more secure."

In the days following the attack, Clinton and the State Department faced intense scrutiny for insinuating the terrorist attack was the result of protests over an anti-Muslin video, rather than a suspected al-Qaida hit. Republicans have charged the Obama administration ignored signs of inadequate security situations prior to the attack that left four Americans dead.

Throughout the testimony, Clinton maintained the State Department operated "timely" and "exceptional" coordination with the Pentagon on the night of the attack. She shot down charges there were no delays in decision making regarding requests for additional protection sought by diplomatic and security staff.

According to the LA Times, Clinton said she hadn't seen specific requests, neither approving nor denying any that came from lower ranking "security professionals" at the State Department.

Clinton grew emotional as she shared her experience of when the bodies of the four American casualties were returned back stateside to her and President Obama, calling the matter not just policy, but personal.

"I stood next to President Obama as the Marines carried those flag-draped caskets off the plane at Andrews," said Clinton. "I put my arms around the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters."

Clinton used her testimony to present new security measures put in place after the attack. She created an independent review board that found "systematic failures" in how the State Department handled security during the mission and has since accepted every one of their recommendations.

The growing threat in northern Africa was a talking point throughout the testimony, stressing that Libya was not an isolated incident. Clinton referenced the instability in Mali and the Algerian hostage situation that left three Americans dead. The Secretary of State said the Algeria attack is currently being investigated by the Obama administration.

For more of Neon Tommy's coverage on the Libya attack click here.

Reach Executive Producer Amanda Martinez here.