Secretary Robert Gates will not appear before the House Appropriations Committee as originally scheduled today due to a fracture to his right shoulder sustained when he slipped on some ice.
Deputy Secretary Gorden England will testify in his place on the Defense fiscal 2009 Budget and Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren will be the lead DoD witness before the Senate Armed Services Committee on improvements in the care and management of wounded and ill service members.
Secretary Gates has been examined by a physician and is receiving treatment for this injury. He continues to perform all other duties and responsibilities of his position.
