House Republican who has been absent from Congress plans to return 'very soon'
Republican Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. of New Jersey, who has missed votes in the House for more than a month, has broken his silence over his prolonged absence from Capitol Hill.
In a statement posted Monday on X, Kean said he expects to return to the Capitol "very soon" as he deals with a "personal medical issue."
"My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon. I expect to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent," he said.
Kean said, "I take my responsibilities seriously and have a strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult."
Kean, 57, cast his last vote on March 5. Since then, he's missed 50 roll call votes.
As House Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a narrow majority, a Republican member's prolonged absence could impact the ability to move must-pass legislation and President Donald Trump's agenda.
Johnson is currently trying to pass Department of Homeland Security funding, a long-term extension of FISA and the farm bill -- all relying on Republican votes. He can afford to lose only two votes on any party-line bill, and that's if all members are present and voting.
Johnson said in a statement provided to ABC News that he spoke to Kean by phone last Thursday, and that he is dealing with an unspecified "personal health matter."
"I was happy to speak to Tom Kean, Jr. this afternoon by phone. He is attending to a personal health matter and expects to be back to 100% very soon. Tom is one of the most dedicated and hardest-working Members of Congress, and I am grateful for all he does and will continue to do to serve New Jerseyans and our country," Johnson said.
Kean, who was first elected in 2022, also faces a tough reelection campaign this year. Republicans are seeking to maintain majority control in Congress in this year's midterm elections, a cycle that is historically unfavorable to the president's party.
His district, New Jersey's 7th, is rated as a toss-up by the Cook Political Report and is expected to be a top target for Democrats. Kean does not face any challengers in the Republican primary slated for June 2.
