Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to testify before the House Armed Services Committee today, facing tough questions regarding his recent hospitalization. The committee is concerned about the delay in informing President Biden and the public about Austin's health status, especially during a time of heightened global tensions.
House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation, calling it 'totally unacceptable' that it took over three days to notify the President that the Secretary of Defense was hospitalized and temporarily unable to fulfill his duties. The committee members are particularly troubled by the lack of communication during critical international events, such as conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, attacks on U.S. ships in the Red Sea, and threats to military bases in Iraq and Syria.
