Democratic lawmaker urges colleague to disclose future medical absences

He added that public office carries a duty of transparency when an official is absent for an extended period.

Floor statement and prior absence The New Jersey lawmaker addressed the House floor Tuesday, stating he had been hospitalized for treatment and initially expected to return within weeks. He said more than 48 million Americans share the same condition and noted there is no fixed timeline for recovery.

The absence lasted long enough to cause him to miss 135 votes and drew attention because he made no public appearances in his district or in Washington during that time.