Horsford Expresses Support of Defense Secretary Austin Amid House Armed Services Hearing | Congressman Steven Horsford
Skip to main content
Image
Scenic photo in the district

Horsford Expresses Support of Defense Secretary Austin Amid House Armed Services Hearing

March 1, 2024

House Republicans are focused on manufactured drama instead of real issues.

WASHINGTON – Following the House Armed Services Committee hearing in review of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s unannounced medical leave, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) reaffirmed his support for the Secretary and criticized the hearing as a distraction from the many pressing issues facing Congress. He urged his colleagues to direct their efforts to more pressing national security issues, such as supporting our allies, funding our military, and ensuring our servicemembers have the resources they need. He also highlighted the service of Secretary Austin, noting his dedication and commitment over four decades of honorable military service. He released the following statement after the hearing:

“This hearing was political theater, not the serious work we owe the American people. Secretary Austin has served our nation with honor for more than four decades. While our allies around the world need our support and our military needs continued funding, we are spending time investigating personal health matters. 

"I am disappointed but surprised that my colleagues on the other side are weaponizing a deeply personal and private health diagnosis for some political punches. Prostate cancer is a common and serious concern for men, particularly for 1 in every 6 Black men.  I sincerely wish the Secretary a speedy and full recovery. 

"Let’s focus the work of our committee on real issues, not manufactured drama.”