Congressional Black Caucus Supports Defense Secretary Despite Calls For Resignation
The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is lending its support for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III amid calls for his resignation. Austin has been urged to step down after failing to notify the White House and senior-level government officials of his hospitalization.
The statement made on Jan. 11 by the cohort of Black lawmakers deemed these calls for resignation as “rushed judgements” on Austin’s capacity to fulfill his duties. CBC Chairman Steven Horsford spoke on behalf of the organization regarding their support of the official, urging his fellow politicians not to “politicize” what he considers a private matter.
“The CBC fully supports Secretary Austin remaining in his role, and we strongly push back against efforts to politicize a deeply personal and private health diagnosis,” detailed the congressman. “We can all certainly provide some level of privacy in the initial aftermath of a cancer diagnosis, and we encourage others towards decency in this moment…Calls for Secretary Austin to resign or face impeachment proceedings are rushed judgments.”
The statement continues to note how prostate cancer disproportionately impacts Black men, wishing Austin a “full and speedy recovery” as he deals with the systemic health problem,
“Prostate cancer is a common and serious concern for men, particularly 1 in every 6 Black men, and we hope that Secretary Austin makes a full and speedy recovery,” the statement read.
According to The Grio, Austin underwent surgery on Dec. 22 to aid in his battle against the illness. However, he returned to Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan 1. due to complications from the procedure. After lawmakers were made aware of his serious hospital stay on Jan. 4, some, including Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Pa, urged for Austin to step down for his negligence in informing the proper individuals.
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.
— Congressman Chris Deluzio (@RepDeluzio) January 10, 2024
However, other lawmakers, including Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., and the CBC, have implored their fellow politicians not to lean into pushing Austin out over such a sensitive matter.
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