Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) has criticized House Armed Services Committee (HASC) Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Alabama) over the Pentagon's failure to inform President Joe of Austin's hospitalization. requested that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks be invited. Biden and a number of other senior national security officials.
“The Secretary of Defense serves as the linchpin for the president to command and control the military. “This reflects a lack of leadership, competency and transparency across the board,” Gates said in a statement.
Gates cited White House statements suggesting there would be no repercussions for Austin's failure to disclose information.
Indeed, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Monday that Biden continues to have “full confidence” in Austin.
Congressman Gaetz said:
Accordingly, Chairman Mike Rogers and the House Armed Services Committee immediately held a hearing and heard from Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks that Mr. Austin was absent and that Mr. Hicks had not returned from leave to perform his duties. We need to hear testimony about what happened.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin descends the steps of the Pentagon to greet Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolak on December 4, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. (Win McNamee/Getty)
Rogers and HASC Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued a joint statement over the weekend requesting information.
Their joint statement said:
What were the medical procedures and associated complications? What is the Secretary's current state of health? 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 extremely important. Austin must provide additional details regarding his health and the decision-making process that has occurred over the past week as soon as possible,” they added.
Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) also called for an investigation into Austin, and Republican conference chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) also called for Austin to resign.
However, two members of the Congressional Black Caucus defended Austin.
Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) Said CNN said Sunday, “I mean, I don't know all the details, but I know Lloyd Austin. He's a stand-up guy. He's a great Secretary of Defense. He's a great military man in this country. And I hear he's taking charge of things the same way he was before he got sick.”
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) speaks at a press conference. (Countess Jemal/Getty Images for Recovering the Court Action Fund)
And Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) decried “partisan politics.”
“General Austin does not deserve this unnecessary scrutiny and criticism while he is dealing with medical issues,” she added. “Remember, he is a veteran and has every right to receive proper medical care and be healthy. Let him and his family solve this problem.”
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