House committee requests Austin’s testimony on recent hospitalization

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been asked to testify before the House Armed Services Committee about his controversial recent hospitalization.

In a letter Thursday, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ohio) asked Austin to attend a hearing on Feb. 14 and said the committee would “honor the President, Congress, “We look forward to hearing first-hand accounts of the decision to withhold information from the government.” And the American people too. ”

He noted that the two had previously spoken about his hospitalization, but many of his concerns were not addressed.

“We are concerned by your refusal to answer whether you instructed your staff not to inform the President of the United States or anyone else about your hospitalization,” the letter said. “Unfortunately, this makes me think that information is being withheld from Parliament. You need to understand.”

“In the meantime, I look forward to prompt answers to all outstanding questions so that the committee can consider the necessary information for future hearings,” the letter continued. continued.

“Anything else is completely unacceptable,” Rogers said, asking for Austin's full cooperation.

Austin came under fire from Republicans and some Democrats after news broke that Biden learned of Austin's hospitalization just before it became public.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), a member of the Armed Services Committee, was one of the few Democrats to suggest penalties for Austin's secret hospitalization.

“It's up to the president to decide whether to fire Secretary Austin or not, but let me tell you, the president needs to send a definitive message that this will never happen again,” Moulton said on NewsNation's “The Hill.” “There is,” he said.

“I would fire him in about five minutes,” Moulton added.

President Biden noted that although Austin showed poor judgment while waiting to inform the White House of his hospitalization, he remains confident in his ability to lead the Pentagon.

Austin was discharged from Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, on Monday after suffering complications from December surgery for prostate cancer.

“We also appreciate and appreciate all the well-wishes for a speedy recovery. He is currently recuperating at home and continuing to perform his duties. I hope to return to the United States,” he said in a recent statement after his release.