Rogers, Smith Statement on Delayed Notification of Defense Secretary’s Hospitalization

Washington, DC, January 7, 2024

U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Adam Smith (D-WA), Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement regarding the notification of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's recent hospitalization.

"While we wish Sec. Austin a speedy recovery, we are concerned with how the disclosure of the Secretary's condition was handled. Several questions remain unanswered including what the medical procedure and resulting complications were, what the Secretary's current health status is, how and when the delegation of the Secretary's responsibilities were made, and the reason for the delay in notification to the President and Congress.

"Transparency is vitally important. Sec. Austin must provide these additional details on his health and the decision-making process that occurred in the past week as soon as possible."