Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin testified before Capitol Hill, addressing questions from Senator Adam Smith regarding the transfer of authorities during his absence due to health reasons. Austin explained that it is common practice for the Secretary of Defense to delegate authority when unable to access secure communications, as outlined in a 30-day review.
He emphasized that during his hospitalization in early January, the Deputy Secretary was fully capable of carrying out the responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense, regardless of her location. Both Austin and the Deputy Secretary had secure communications and situational awareness to support the President in decision-making.
Austin urged the committee not to politicize the situation or provide fodder for adversaries, highlighting that the U.S. continued to take necessary actions to protect national security interests during his absence. He called for bipartisan support for a national security supplemental bill to address critical security needs.
He cautioned against distractions from the core issue of national security, pointing out that adversaries like Russia and China were exploiting any perceived weaknesses in U.S. policy. Austin challenged lawmakers to prioritize fulfilling obligations to allies, particularly in the context of the situation in Ukraine.
In conclusion, Austin underscored the importance of unity in addressing national security challenges and refraining from actions that could be exploited by adversaries. He reiterated the need for bipartisan cooperation to safeguard U.S. interests and uphold commitments to allies.
