Congress Seeks Answers on Delay Notifying Leaders of Defense Secretary Austin’s Hospitalization
• Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin facing questions from Congress over delayed notification of his hospitalization • Austin was hospitalized on January 1st, admitted to critical care on January 2nd, but Congress and President Biden not notified until January 5th • House Armed Services Committee holding hearing on Thursday regarding transparency concerns • Pentagon internal review found no attempts to obfuscate Austin's condition, but communication processes need improvement • Republican Chairman Mike Rogers sharply critical, says committee conducting own investigation and will seek answers at hearing