House Panel Asks Lloyd Austin , to Testify About Hospitalization.<br />The 70-year-old defense secretary has been <br />asked by the House Armed Services Committee <br />to testify next month, CBS News reports.<br />Lawmakers want Austin to explain <br />why he didn't notify the White House <br />about his recent hospitalization. .<br />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 <br />Committee chair, via CBS News.<br />House panel chair Rep. Mike Rogers told Austin that he should be ready to address...<br />... "decisions made to withhold information from the president, Congress and the American people" in front of the entire Armed Services panel on Feb. 14.<br />I expect your full honesty <br />and cooperation in this matter. <br />Anything short of that is <br />completely unacceptable, Rep. Mike Rogers, House Armed Services <br />Committee chair, via CBS News.<br />On Dec. 22, Austin underwent a medical procedure to have his prostate removed.<br />On Jan. 1, he was taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for "severe abdominal, hip and leg pain," his doctors said.<br />The White House, Congress and the public weren't notified about Austin's hospitalization until Jan. 4.<br />His lack of transparency <br />was immediately scrutinized. .<br />Austin was released from <br />the hospital on Jan. 15
