Democratic Senate Armed Services chair calls for more information on Austin’s absence

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (DR.I.) wants answers about “exactly what happened” over the secret hospitalization of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, so the White House They have remained silent about his condition for more than three days.

Mr. Reed spoke with Mr. Austin, but questions remain about his absence, which included working in the intensive care unit (ICU).

The Democratic chairman of the Armed Services Committee is willing to hold a hearing on Austin's absence, as requested by Republicans.

Reed said the hearing could also consider whether reforms are needed to ensure a clear chain of command and communication in the event the Pentagon chief becomes ill or becomes incapacitated again. Stated.

“We have so many questions to answer, especially about the Secretary, but also about the process and whether there will be improvements to the notification process and clear chain of command. We are not ruling out a public hearing at this time,” Reed told The Hill.

“I think the first thing we need to do is get clarity from Secretary Austin and other parties about what exactly happened,” he said.

Mr. Reed said he spoke with Mr. Austin, but said the conversation focused on Mr. Austin taking full responsibility for the incident and the chief returning to work.

“Rather, it was a call to show that he also took responsibility, just as he did. Second, he went back to work. And third, he tried to recover as soon as possible. “There is,” the Rhode Island senator explained.

Sen. Roger Wicker (Mississippi), the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee, asked Mr. Reid on Monday to hold a hearing on the matter, saying Mr. Austin's failure to provide broader notice of his absence violated the law. expressed concern that this may be the case.

“I think there should be an urgent hearing on this matter to find out the extent to which the department has ignored its legal obligations,” he said, to inform other government officials about the defense secretary's hospitalization.

Wicker expressed concern that military officials say it is not unusual for the secretary of defense to temporarily transfer command authority to another person.

“We are told today that things like this happen. This kind of transfer of power happens all the time,” he said. “If that's the case, this is one of several cases, and if this is just the first case we've heard of, then it's very serious.”

Wicker said failure to notify other government officials of the temporary absence could be in violation of the law.

“A statutory requirement is not a suggestion. It is a statutory requirement and there is a reason for it,” he said.