At a House Armed Services Committee (HASC) hearing this week on Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s failure to notify President Biden of his recent hospitalization, he cited a personal health dilemma as an excuse for cancer treatment. He tried to seek reprieve and forgiveness, justifying his undisclosed medical leave.
However, during the same hearing he Rejected Pledges to re-recruit 8,600 military personnel forced out of service due to COVID-19 vaccination mandates and restore full rank and back pay.
BREAKING: Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will grant the same reprieve to the 8,600 service members he kicked out due to COVID-19 vaccination requirements, as he asks Congress for reprieve and forgiveness after being caught truant earlier this year. I refused!
Gates: “Then… pic.twitter.com/MuVZgBfA9m
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) February 29, 2024
What Austin’s story does not acknowledge is that he committed serious violations of protocols and regulations such as the Department of Defense’s (Department of Defense) Uniform Code of Military Justice. Regarding Unauthorized absence, also known as “AWOL,” and laws requiring its reporting vacancy and job performance. Austin’s actions, combined with Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks’ refusal to return to U.S. soil to carry out her duties as secretary, effectively left America’s defense leadership at a loss. This incident highlights an alarming lack of accountability at the top of our nation’s defense establishment and raises serious questions about the national security implications of such failures.
Given the delicate nature of Austin’s condition, some may be tempted to give him the blessings he seeks. But let us not forget his and his department’s callous and destructive actions against some 8,600 service members who also had to perform the very personal medical act of refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. . These 8,600 military personnel were unceremoniously expelled from the military because of this Secretary of Defense. In some cases, they have been discharged from hospital (or worse) and are no longer able to receive the medical and educational benefits their service deserves. In such cases, the benefits often end up being passed on to the children for their improvement.
I have given Austin multiple opportunities to rescind and amend the Department of Defense’s inadequate and illegal vaccine directives. In one example, during HASC’s 2024 budget request hearing in March 2023, I asked Austin why he would pursue and ask for the reenlistment of service members who had been discharged for refusing to comply with vaccine mandates. I asked if there was one.he simply answered: “It’s an individual’s duty.” [to get back into the Armed Forces]”
And at this week’s hearing, I asked him if he would grant the same reprieve he is seeking, re-recruiting those discharged with vaccinations and restoring their full rank and back pay. , he replied: answered:”I will not do it.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attends a House Armed Services Committee hearing on February 29, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
It is time for the Secretary to face the consequences and responsibility for his recent failures. Austin must not exceed the standards of the department he leads. For reference, military personnel under Austin’s command would be subject to many penalties if they become non-combatants. For such violations, military personnel risk fines and forfeiture of their pay. Military personnel can even be jailed if they are absent from work without notifying the chain of command.
Behind Austin, like a shadow on a sunny day, is a trail of failure and destruction. Unfortunately, Austin will likely shirk responsibility, as all senior police officers do on a daily basis. There aren’t many more positions he could fail at, and it would probably end with him becoming a senior advisor or chairman of some defense contractor or lobbying firm.
But ultimately, if Austin receives the reprieve he sought this week, it will most certainly also be given to the 8,600 military members discharged from the military citing personal medical decisions. That’s why I’m supporting an effort to repurpose $200 million that would have been earmarked for defense funding for other countries as part of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act to fund reinstatement, back pay, and hardship bonuses for laid-off service members. is leading. I’m out because I refuse the vaccine.
It is long past time for Congress to grant these military men the reprieve that Austin seeks for himself but hypocritically refuses to grant to others.
Congressman Matt Gaetz represents Florida’s 1st Congressional District.
