New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Absent For Weeks As Questions Grow Over Health Issues
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) has been absent from Capitol Hill for nearly two months, with his team citing unspecified health issues while offering few details about his condition or timeline for return.
Kean last cast a vote on March 5 and has since missed more than four dozen votes, raising concern among colleagues and observers given the razor-thin margins in the House of Representatives.
Despite his absence, Kean has remained minimally active online. On Wednesday, he posted about legislative progress on two of his bills, though he was not physically present in Washington for votes that day.
According to aides, the congressman is dealing with health-related matters, but even fellow New Jersey lawmakers say they have not been able to reach him. Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew both indicated they attempted to contact Kean but received no response, describing the situation as “radio silence.”
A consultant for Kean said the congressman and his family appreciate the support and well wishes, adding that he is expected to return to a full schedule soon. No further specifics were provided.
His absence comes at a sensitive moment for Congress. The House currently stands at 217 Republicans, 212 Democrats, one GOP-aligned independent, and five vacant seats. With such narrow margins, prolonged absences can complicate leadership efforts to pass key legislation.
Concerns have also been heightened by a string of health-related issues among lawmakers. Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) recently passed away, marking the fifth member of the current Congress to die in office since early 2025.
Kean, 57, represents a competitive New Jersey district and is considered one of the more vulnerable Republicans heading into upcoming elections. His extended absence has raised questions about both his health and the potential political implications for his seat.
Historically, Congress has seen cases where prolonged absences were not fully disclosed. In 2024, former Rep. Kay Granger of Texas was found to have been living in a memory care facility after months away from public view.
Before this year, Kean maintained a near-perfect voting record, making his sudden disappearance from legislative activity all the more notable as colleagues and constituents await clearer answers.