Rep. Chris Deluzio has become the first congressional Democrat to call for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's resignation amid a controversy involving his hospitalization and medical treatment.
“I have lost trust in Secretary Lloyd Austin’s leadership of the Defense Department due to the lack of transparency about his recent medical treatment and its impact on the continuity of the chain of command," Deluzio, a Pennsylvania Dem, said in a statement, according to a report from Politico.
The lawmaker thanked Austin for his service and wished him a speedy recovery. Politico said Deluzio represents a swing district.
But the lawmaker also said "I have a solemn duty in Congress to conduct oversight of the Defense Department through my service on the House Armed Services Committee. That duty today requires me to call on Secretary Austin to resign."
Austin, being treated for prostate cancer and a urinary tract infection, remains hospitalized and is in good condition, the Pentagon said on Wednesday, adding that it still does not have a specific date for his release.
Austin's hospitalization for complications following prostate cancer surgery was not disclosed to the public, the White House or Congress for much of last week, triggering a political backlash and prompting a congressional investigation.
Austin, 70, was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland on Dec. 22 to treat prostate cancer. He returned to the hospital on Jan. 1 due to complications including a urinary tract infection and has remained there ever since.
Austin's effort to keep his treatment completely private has raised questions about whether he broke rules about notifications to Congress and embarrassed U.S. President Joe Biden, who did not learn that Austin was hospitalized until Jan. 4 and learned on Jan. 9 that he had prostate cancer.
The White House and the Pentagon have so far dismissed calls for Austin to be fired.
Newsmax contributed to this report.
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