The top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee expressed concern over the defense secretary's unexplained absence in a statement Monday, breaking three days of silence from senators amid growing calls for accountability elsewhere.

The committee chairman, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, said that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's hospitalization was hidden from aides and White House officials for several days while Austin was away campaigning for president. said he expressed serious concerns about the leadership of the Department of Defense (DOD). statement. Mr. Reid did not speak publicly about the incident until Monday afternoon, but the Pentagon notified Congress of Mr. Austin's status on Friday.

“This lack of disclosure must never occur again,” Reed said in a statement. (Related article: White House says Lloyd Austin's job is not at risk despite going MIA without telling anyone for days)

“We remain concerned that important chain of command and notification procedures were not followed while the Secretary was receiving treatment. He has taken responsibility for the situation, but this was a serious incident and the Department “We need transparency and accountability,” he added.

Top Democrats, including Reid, initially declined to comment, The Wall Street Journal reported. report on sunday. Mr. Reid said he was following the situation and made clear to the Pentagon that he wanted to hear all relevant details about the incident.

Democrats have broken with some Republicans who have called for his firing over confidentiality issues. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks performed some of the secretary's duties during her leave without knowing that Austin was hospitalized. Neither she nor White House officials, including President Joe Biden, knew about Austin until three days after he was admitted to the intensive care unit.Austin should not resign, Reid Said Belongs to the local CBS affiliate station.

Asked for comment, a spokeswoman for Maine Democratic Sen. Angus King said the senator was traveling over the weekend. Most of the remaining Democrats on the committee did not respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Rep. Adam Smith, a Washington Democrat who ranks on the House Armed Services Committee, said: issued He issued a joint statement Sunday with the committee's Republican leader, Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama, calling for accountability.

“While we hope Section Austin made a speedy recovery, we are concerned about how the disclosure of the Secretary's condition was handled,” the two wrote. “Transparency is critical. Austin must provide additional details regarding his health and the decision-making process that has occurred over the past week as soon as possible,” they said.

Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia also criticized the defense secretary's oversight as the U.S. grapples with escalating conflicts around the world, but said it was too early to tell whether Austin should resign. Ta. according to To Politico.

“Once he gets out of the hospital and recovers, I have some explaining to do,” he said. “Given what is happening around the world, this is not an acceptable situation for a chief executive at ministerial level.”

“The world is complex, wars continue, and we engage in hostilities to eliminate terrorist leaders. It is impossible for the Secretary of Defense to go missing, and there are also unexplained disappearances. I don't get it.''

Including several Republicans senator tom cotton of Arkansas, Senator J.D. Vance Ohio House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (New York) called For Austin to resign.

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