House Democrats and Republicans are seeking more information about Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization and why it was kept hidden for several days before finally being announced.
Ranking members of the House Armed Services Committee issued a statement Sunday night asking for “further details” about Austin's condition and why notification was delayed.
“While we wish Secretary Austin a speedy recovery, we are concerned about how the disclosure of Secretary Austin's condition was handled,” said Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Alabama) and ranking member Adam Smith. said Congressman (D-Washington). .
Pentagon deputy commander announces Austin hospitalized two days after taking over part of mission
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is under scrutiny for his handling of hospitalizations ((Photo credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images))
“What were the medical procedures and associated complications? What is the Secretary's current health condition? When and how was the Secretary's responsibilities delegated? Why was there a delay in notifying the President and Congress? , some questions remain unanswered.
“Transparency is critical. Secretary Austin must provide additional details as soon as possible regarding his health and the decision-making process that has taken place over the past week.”
Defense Secretary Austin hospitalized due to surgical complications
Fox News Digital has asked the Department of Defense for a response.
Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, RN.Y., the third-ranking Republican in the House, called for Austin's resignation Monday morning.
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said he wanted more information about the situation. (Ting Sheng/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“It is shocking and absolutely unacceptable that it took the Department of Defense several days to notify the President, the National Security Council, and the American people that Secretary of Defense Austin was hospitalized and unable to perform his duties,” Stefanik said. ” he said.
“This lack of transparency exemplifies a shocking lack of judgment and a serious national security threat. Full accountability must be held, starting with a parliamentary investigation into dangerous dereliction of duty.”
Pentagon announces new Red Sea international mission to counter escalating Houthi attacks on ships
The Pentagon announced Friday that Austin was hospitalized due to complications from elective surgery. He's been there since the beginning of the week.
Austin was hospitalized last Monday but was not made public until Friday. (Photo by Kim Hongji – Pool/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
However, a Politico report has since revealed that not only was the media kept in the dark, but the highest levels of the White House and Pentagon officials also did not know until Austin was hospitalized on Thursday.
“I serve on the House Armed Services Committee and share the concerns of Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith,” Rep. Chris Delzio (D-Pa.) wrote on Sunday evening. .
