Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) explained on June 30 that a depression diagnosis kept him out of Congress for months.
In a speech on the House floor, Kean said that he had been away from work due to being hospitalized for depression.
Kean returned to Congress on June 30; he last voted on March 5.
“Due to health concerns, I entered the hospital for some testing. I did not believe that this would result in a long-term stay,” he said. “I was given the diagnosis of depression.”
Kean, who has represented New Jersey’s Seventh Congressional District since 2023, said that doctors recommended he remain in the hospital to address his diagnosis as it “would be the fastest way to recovery.”
The congressman recalled being hesitant to follow the recommendation.
“I had responsibilities to my family, I had responsibilities to my constituents, I had responsibilities to this institution, and, like many people, I believed that I could simply push through,” he said.
“But I agreed to follow my doctor’s recommendations again, not believing that it would result in a long-term stay.”
Kean said he has been battling depression throughout his life.
He sought to explain why he was not transparent initially about his condition.
“When I first informed the public that I was dealing with a medical issue, I was still trying to understand what was happening myself,” Kean said.
“When I said I hoped to return in a matter of weeks, I believed it.”
However, Kean went on to say that “there is no timeline for healing, there is no timeline for recovery, only the work of getting better one day at a time.”
The congressman said he is “healthier, stronger, and excited to return to the work that I love.”
He said that his absence gave him a greater appreciation for the millions of Americans who deal with depression.
Kean, who comes from a well-known political family in New Jersey, represents a highly competitive congressional district that includes President Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster.
This year, he has missed more than 100 House votes and did not appear publicly in either Washington or his district, even after securing the Republican nomination for another term.
In the general election, he is set to face Democratic candidate Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot.
Kean’s prolonged absence raised questions because of the political importance of his district and the GOP’s slim majority in the House.
His absence also created challenges for House Republican leaders, who are trying to pass legislation with a narrow 218–212 majority.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he had remained in contact with Kean but emphasized that only the congressman could explain the details surrounding his situation.
