House Panel Asks Lloyd Austin to Testify About Hospitalization

House Panel Asks Lloyd Austin , to Testify About Hospitalization.

The 70-year-old defense secretary has been asked by the House Armed Services Committee to testify next month, CBS News reports.

Lawmakers want Austin to explain why he didn't notify the White House about his recent hospitalization.

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Congress must understand what happened and who made decisions to prevent the disclosure of the whereabouts of a Cabinet secretary, , Rep.

Mike Rogers, House Armed Services Committee chair, via CBS News.

House panel chair Rep.

Mike Rogers told Austin that he should be ready to address... ... "decisions made to withhold information from the president, Congress and the American people" in front of the entire Armed Services panel on Feb.

14.

I expect your full honesty and cooperation in this matter.

Anything short of that is completely unacceptable, Rep.

Mike Rogers, House Armed Services Committee chair, via CBS News.

On Dec.

22, Austin underwent a medical procedure to have his prostate removed.

On Jan.

1, he was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for "severe abdominal, hip and leg pain," his doctors said.

The White House, Congress and the public weren't notified about Austin's hospitalization until Jan.

4.

His lack of transparency was immediately scrutinized.

.

Austin was released from the hospital on Jan.

15