Congress Seeks Austin's Testimony on Health Issues, Hospitalizations Kept Private
• Defense Secretary Austin called to testify before Congress about keeping recent hospitalization secret, including from White House • House Armed Services Committee Chairman seeks Austin's "direct testimony" to understand decisions to withhold information • Austin underwent surgery for prostate cancer in December without informing officials, then hospitalized again in January with complications • Revelation sparked controversy over balance between privacy and disclosure for top officials regarding medical issues • Situation has triggered reviews by White House and Pentagon over protocols for senior leaders delegating authority during medical absences