WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin squared off with the House lawmakers Thursday about his secret hospital stay, following complications from prostate cancer surgery.
“I never intended to keep my hospitalization from the White House or from anybody else,” Austin said, blaming a breakdown in communication.
Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) pressed Austin on why it took so long to notify the President, Congress, and the public about it.
“The chain of command doesn’t work when the commander-in-chief doesn’t know who to call,” Rogers said.
Congressman Jim Banks (R-Ind.) says Austin’s absence was a matter of national security.
“Are you surprised the president didn’t call for your resignation?” Banks asked.
“The president has expressed full faith and confidence in me,” Austin replied.
House Democrats say they were uncomfortable with how Austin handled his hospitalization, but they came to his defense.
“You have an extraordinary service record,” Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) said.
Garamendi and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) say at no point during Austin’s illness was the country unsafe.
“There was just never any moment where there was any absence of authority within the department,” Courtney said.
The Pentagon is conducting a review of the roles, processes and actions related to Austin’s hospitalization and pledges to do better going forward.
