Wicker statement on Secretary of Defense health issues

Following the announcement that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was being treated for prostate cancer, Mississippi U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R) issued the following statement. Wicker is the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“I am glad Secretary Austin’s prognosis is good and he is expected to make a full recovery, but the underlying questions remain. The Secretary’s condition is severe. The failure to notify Congress of his inability to perform his duties was a clear violation of the law. It remains unclear who decided to ignore federal law but there must be accountability. An internal review – ordered by the same Chief of Staff who played a part in this crisis – is woefully inadequate,” Senator Wicker said.