After nearly four months of absence from Congress, Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. revealed on Tuesday, June 30, that the “medical emergency” that kept him away from Washington was a diagnosis of depression. The New Jersey congressman, who’s missed more than 130 roll-call votes since March 5, said he was hospitalized for treatment and chose to follow his doctors’ advice, despite initially believing he would return within weeks. His disclosure ends months of speculation over his absence from Capitol Hill, which comes as Republicans are navigating a razor-thin House majority.
Tom Kean Jr. reveals diagnosis in emotional House speech
Speaking on the House floor on June 30, the 57-year-old lawmaker explained why he had remained largely out of public view. “This is not an easy speech for me to give,” Kean said. “I am a private person by nature, and I have spent most of my life talking about the people that I represent, the issues facing our communities and the work that continues to be done. Talking about myself has never come naturally, but I believe that I owe an explanation to the people of New Jersey’s 7th District, to my colleagues in this chamber and to the American people.”
Kean said he was admitted to a hospital “several months ago” because of health concerns and was diagnosed with depression. Although he expected a short stay, doctors advised him to remain hospitalized because it offered the “fastest way to recovery.”
“When people hear the word depression, many people think it simply means feeling sad. But depression is so much more than that. It is physical. It is emotional. And until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be,” he explained.
He added that earlier statements predicting a quick return reflected what he genuinely believed at the time but acknowledged that there is “no timeline to healing.”
“Today I stand before you healthier, stronger and excited to return to the work that I love,” Kean said.
Months of absence spark questions and political speculation
Kean’s office had previously disclosed only that he was dealing with a “medical emergency,” fueling speculation about his condition as his absence stretched into months. Earlier this month, he announced on X that he would transition from virtual work back to in-person duties and promised he would “be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition.”
On Tuesday, he also thanked supporters for “the patience, the kindness, the prayers and the concern that have been shown” toward his family during his recovery.
His prolonged absence drew particular attention because he represents New Jersey’s competitive 7th Congressional District, a seat Democrats hope to flip in November.
Colleagues in Congress react to Tom Kean Jr.’s disclosure
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had repeatedly encouraged Kean to provide more details about his condition. “I understand Tom has given a speech on the floor this hour. I don’t know exactly what he said, but I hope that he was fully transparent, as I encouraged him many times over the last few months to be,” Johnson said. “If it were me, I would have been more specific about that.”
Several Democrats also responded sympathetically after Kean’s announcement. Rep. Ro Khanna said in a statement to Newsweek, “I think we need to have some grace for people who have depression. I wish it was more transparent. He could have said, ‘I have a health issue.’ … But I don’t think we should be attacking someone because they have a mental health issue.”
Rep. Seth Magaziner also weighed in, saying he’s “glad” that Kean “got the care he needs.”
Lauren Boebert’s criticism of Tom Kean Jr.’s prolonged absence
Before Kean revealed his diagnosis, Rep. Lauren Boebert launched a scathing attack on her fellow GOP congressman, publicly questioning why he had been away from Washington for so long. “Where is he?” she asked during an interview with TMZ earlier in June. “No, seriously. It’s embarrassing. We’re supposed to be the party that is against campaigning from the basement.”
“I haven’t heard from him. I’ve heard people cover for him,” she continued.
She then argued that Kean’s absence hurt Republicans as they worked with a narrow House majority, saying, “I mean, sure, we need a majority, but under these circumstances?” She also contrasted Kean’s absence with her own reelection efforts, saying, “I worked my a** off to get reelected and serve the people of my district. This guy hasn’t been here since, what? March?”
She concluded by repeatedly pressing for more information, asking, “Where is he? Is he in the hospital? Where is he? I don’t know!”
