Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. Returns to House Floor After Months-Long Absence for Depression Treatment

Representative Thomas Kean Jr. returned to the House floor on June 30 and stated that he had been diagnosed with depression this year. Doctors recommended inpatient treatment, which he said kept him hospitalized for several months.

Kean, 57, a Republican representing New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, last voted on March 5. He missed more than 100 floor votes during the absence. Congressional disclosures show he signed off on five stock trades between April 14 and May 17.

Kean introduced the PREEMPT Act as lead sponsor during the period. The bill would require the federal government to clarify whether Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program cover early detection screenings for preeclampsia. Kean made his first public statement in April, writing that he was addressing a personal medical issue and that doctors assured him recovery would be complete.

He said he was grateful he accepted help. House Speaker Mike Johnson said ahead of the speech that he would have been more specific about the condition and encouraged Kean to do so. Johnson added that Kean had worked overtime, remained in constant contact with his office, and that constituents had been served throughout the process.

Kean flipped the seat in 2022 and won reelection in 2024 by six points.