House Armed Services Committee Requests Testimony from Defense Secretary
Washington — The House Armed Services Committee has asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to testify before lawmakers next month about his decision not to disclose his recent hospitalization to the White House.
Rep. Mike Rogers, the Alabama Republican who chairs the panel, told Austin in a letter Thursday that he is "alarmed" by the secretary's refusal to answer whether he instructed staff not to inform President Biden or others about his hospitalization to treat complications stemming prostate cancer surgery.
Rogers indicated that he and Austin spoke recently about the events surrounding his hospital stay and medical procedures, but said he failed to address a "concerning number of questions."
"Congress must understand what happened and who made decisions to prevent the disclosure of the whereabouts of a Cabinet secretary," Rogers wrote.
He told Austin that the full Armed Services panel will be convening for a hearing on Feb. 14, during which Austin should be prepared to address "decisions made to withhold information from the president, Congress and the American people."
"I expect your full honesty and cooperation in this matter," Rogers wrote. "Anything short of that is completely unacceptable."
Austin was discharged from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Monday, putting an end to a two-week stay that attracted significant attention to the defense secretary due to his lack of transparency surrounding his hospitalization. The Pentagon stated that Austin is currently working remotely as he continues to recover.
The defense secretary, aged 70, underwent a procedure to remove his prostate on December 22 and was subsequently transported by ambulance to Walter Reed on New Year's Day after experiencing "severe abdominal, hip, and leg pain," as reported by his doctors.
The defense secretary was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and a buildup of fluids affecting his small intestines, which necessitated the insertion of a tube through his nose to drain his stomach.
Austin's top aides at the Pentagon failed to inform the White House, Congress, or the public about his hospitalization or condition on January 1 for several days, until January 4. President Biden only became aware of the secretary's prostate cancer diagnosis on January 9.
In addition to Congress' examination, the Defense Department's inspector general has announced that it will conduct a review of the "roles, processes, and actions" surrounding the events related to Austin's medical condition and hospitalization.
