Defense Secretary Austin Hospitalized, Congress Probes Notification Delay
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December and underwent a procedure to treat it. He later developed complications and was hospitalized.
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Austin was admitted to the ICU at Walter Reed hospital on January 1st with abdominal pain and other issues. He eventually needed a tube inserted to drain fluid.
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The White House and key officials were not informed of Austin's hospitalization for several days, prompting criticism and a review of notification procedures.
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Austin has made steady progress, with his infection clearing up, but recovery is expected to be slow. He remains actively engaged in his duties.
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Questions remain about why transparency was lacking regarding Austin's condition. Congress has launched a formal inquiry into the failure to promptly notify US leaders.