Rep. Tom Kean Jr. returns to Congress after four-month absence due to depression

U.S. Representative Thomas Kean Jr. returned to the House of Representatives on Tuesday after a four-month absence, disclosing that he had been battling depression. Kean, a Republican from New Jersey, stated on the House floor that the illness is both physical and emotional and difficult to comprehend without personal experience. He entered the hospital for testing several months prior, which led to his diagnosis and a recommended hospital stay for recovery.

Kean missed over 140 votes during his 142-day absence. He described depression as a powerful illness and noted that many people misunderstand it as simply feeling sad. He had previously offered only vague explanations for his absence, referring to it as a "personal medical issue." His aides had stated he was "under a doctor's care."

House Speaker Mike Johnson commented that Kean had been working as he was able and that his constituents had been served throughout his absence. Kean faces Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett in the upcoming general election for New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, a district considered a key swing district for Republicans.