Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to undergo nonsurgical procedure, Deputy Kathleen Hicks will assume control
Fox News
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will undergo a nonsurgical procedure Friday evening at Walter Reed Medical Center as a follow up from a bladder issue he had earlier this year.
The Pentagon said the White House and Congress have been notified, and that Austin will be temporarily unable to perform his duties during the procedure.
As a result, "Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks will assume the functions and duties of the Secretary of Defense, and serve as the Acting Secretary of Defense," the Pentagon said.
Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer and hospitalized in December, but didn't tell the White House for several days at the time.
Dozens of House lawmakers rally around funding Afghan visa program as Trump vows major spending cuts
Reps. Jason Crow and Zach Nunn are leading 49 other House lawmakers in a letter urging Congress to preserve the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program.