Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Misses Over 100 Votes During Nearly Three-Month Absence

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. said Tuesday he will return to in-person work within a matter of weeks after missing House votes since early March. The 57-year-old Republican has been absent for nearly three months and has missed over 100 votes.

Kean stated that at the time of his return he will be completely transparent about the nature of his medical condition. He and his office have said he is recovering from an unspecified illness. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Wednesday he knows the details of Kean’s health issue but has been asked by Kean not to disclose them.

Johnson said the condition is very common and that there is nothing untoward or scandalous about it. Johnson said Kean is dealing with something very common and not a big thing. Johnson noted that in mid-May he did not even know the details of the condition.

Johnson called Kean an extraordinary member of Congress who has delivered for the people of New Jersey. He said Kean has been a phenomenal member of Congress and a great member of the team. Johnson said people are entitled to get sick and that he has encouraged Kean to give full transparency and full explanation when he returns.

Kean ran without opposition in the Republican primary. Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, won the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District and will face Kean in the November general election. The race for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country.

Kean issued his statement on Tuesday ahead of polls closing in New Jersey’s primary elections. Johnson made his remarks on Wednesday during the House GOP leadership press conference. Kean has not voted in the House since early March.