(CNSNews.com) - "How much taxpayer money should go to fund drag queen story hours on military bases?" Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) asked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley on Wednesday at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee.

"Listen, drag shows and are not something that the Department of Defense supports or funds," Austin said, giving a similar answer several times as Gaetz put up a slide advertising a drag queen story hour at Ramstein Air Force Base, bearing "DoD insignia," he pointed out.

Gaetz noted that the Ramstein event was canceled, but he mentioned -- and entered into the record -- information about several other drag queen events for children at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Joint Base Langley Eustis, and Nellis Air Force Base.

Gen. Milley asked the Committee, "Can I get copies of those? Because I'd like to take a look at those myself. Actually take a look and find out what actually is going on there, because that's the first I'm hearing about that kind of stuff. I don't read those news stories. I don't know what you're talking about.

"I'd like to take a look at those because I don't agree with those. I think those shouldn't be happening."

Here is a partial transcript of Gaetz's exchange with Austin, then Milley:

GAETZ: "Go ahead and put up the first slide. I guess my question is how much taxpayer money should go to fund drag queen story hours on military bases?"

AUSTIN: "You know, drag queen story hours is not something that the department funds."

GAETZ: "Wait a second. That's actually not what the record seems to suggest. You were going to fund one at Ramstein Air Force Base. That one got canceled, but that's DOD insignia. That's a drag queen story hour for children. Then also at Malmstrom Air Force Base outside of Great Falls, Montana, you had a drag queen story hour for kids.

"At the Joint Base Langley Eustis, you put on a drag queen story hour on a Saturday for the first ever kid friendly Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Summer Festival. And at Nellis Air Force Base, you had the Drag You Nellis on June 17th. Who funded these things, Mr. Secretary?"

AUSTIN: "Listen, drag shows and are not something that the Department of Defense supports or funds."

GAETZ: "But why are they happening on military bases? I just showed you the evidence. Why are they happening?"

AUSTIN: "I will say again, this is not something that we support or fund."

GAETZ: "So you think hosting a drag queen story hour on a military base isn't supporting the drag queen story hour?"

AUSTIN: "I stand by what I just said."

GAETZ: "But you may stand by it, but it's belied by the evidence over and over again. I mean, are you aware of the piece, Biden's military Air Force base in Montana holds drag show, drag queen story hour for kids in the Western Journal. Are you aware of that?"

AUSTIN: "Again, I will say what I said."

GAETZ: "You're saying what you're saying, but I guess it just doesn't comport (with) the facts."

As Gaetz came to the end of his allotted time, he asked unanimous consent to enter information about drag shows on military bases into the record:

"First is Joint Base Langley Eustis holds drag show at kid friendly festival," Gaetz said. "And the next is US military defends drag show at largest training center as, quote, 'essential to morale.' And the next is Nellis Air Force Base hosts first ever drag queen show, essential to morale and readiness. That's a Breitbart piece.

"And finally, Ramstein cancels library's drag queen storytime for Pride Month following criticism."

" Without objection, so ordered. Gentleman's time has expired, Committee Chair Mike Rogers said.

Milley spoke up: "Can I just -- can I get copies of those? Because I'd like to take a look at those myself. Actually take a look and find out what actually is going on there because that's the first I'm hearing about that kind of stuff. I don't read those news stories. I don't know what you're talking about.

"I'd like to take a look at those because I don't agree with those. I think those shouldn't be happening."

Rogers responded, "Well, they're now in the official record."