{"id":2621484,"date":"2026-06-30T12:00:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T16:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kean-says-absence-from-congress-was-because-of-depression\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T12:00:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T16:00:44","slug":"kean-says-absence-from-congress-was-because-of-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kean-says-absence-from-congress-was-because-of-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"Kean says absence from Congress was because of depression"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fkean-says-absence-from-congress-was-because-of-depression%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2621484&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) returned to vote in the House after a four-month absence due to dealing with depression, which was diagnosed by doctors. Kean, 57, indicated he did not expect a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/epa-announces-how-long-ohio-train-derailment-cleanup-will-take\/\" title=\"EPA Announces How Long Ohio Train Derailment Cleanup Will Take\">long-term health issue<\/a>. He explained that depression is a complex illness affecting both physical and emotional health, and emphasized the importance of understanding its severity. Kean&#8217;s absence since March led to him missing over 100 votes, though he did not disclose specifics about his health condition publicly.Despite his health challenges, Kean appeared in good spirits upon returning, and House Speaker Mike johnson supported Kean\u2019s privacy, emphasizing that depression is common and garnering sympathy. Kean\u2019s social media activity continued during his absence, and he has been involved in stock trades and signing off on expenses. He is running for reelection in New Jersey\u2019s 7th District,a competitive seat that Democrats also target,as Kean&#8217;s prolonged absence has raised concerns about his ability to hold the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >seat amid tight electoral margins<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ)\u00a0will cast his first vote in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11272\">House<\/a> in four months on Tuesday, returning from a prolonged absence as he dealt with depression.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kean, 57, said doctors diagnosed him with depression after he sought medical testing, and he said he did not believe it would result in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-why-does-fox-news-keep-chris-wallace\/\" title=\"Trump: &#039;Why Does Fox News Keep Chris Wallace?&#039;\">long-term stay<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4630360\/kean-reveals-absence-from-congress-depression\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Tom Kean reveals prolonged absence from Congress was because of depression<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4630212\/house-declassification-task-force-hearing-mkultra\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>WATCH LIVE: House declassification task force holds hearing on MKULTRA<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4630207\/watch-live-russell-vought-fiscal-2027-budget-house-testimony\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>WATCH LIVE: Russell Vought testifies on budget before House appropriations subcommittee<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNow, when people hear the word depression, many people think it\u2019s simply the need to feel sad, but depression is so much more than that,\u201d Kean said. \u201cIt is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it\u2019s difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kean has been absent from Capitol Hill due to a health matter since March and has missed more than 100 votes, but few details were shared with the public in that time regarding his condition.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New Jersey lawmaker did not answer questions from reporters when he arrived on Capitol Hill. Upon entering the House floor, Kean appeared to be in good spirits, chatting with other GOP lawmakers and flipping through a binder as he prepared to deliver his speech.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told reporters before Kean\u2019s floor speech that if he were in Kean\u2019s shoes, he \u201cwould have been more specific\u201d about his condition and that he has encouraged Kean to be transparent during his remarks. However, Johnson asserted that there is \u201cno conspiracy\u201d surrounding Kean\u2019s absence and that it \u201cisn\u2019t scandalous at all.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s not an uncommon kind of condition and ailment that he\u2019s been fighting, and I think people resonate with that,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cI think he\u2019ll get a lot of empathy because it\u2019s something that\u2019s very, very common.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The speaker declined to share the details of Kean\u2019s health matter earlier this month, telling reporters that Kean asked him to not disclose it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI do know what his health issue is, but he\u2019s asked me not to disclose that, and I\u2019m going to honor that,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cI should do that. That\u2019s my job. I\u2019ll do the same for anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Kean himself has been absent since March, his social accounts have remained active, and the congressman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4582714\/thomas-kean-jr-stock-trades-despite-monthslong-house-absence\/\">has certified several stock trades<\/a> made on his behalf. He has also\u00a0signed off on \u201cgift travel\u201d expenses\u00a0for his staff.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kean is seeking reelection to New Jersey\u2019s 7th District and will face former Navy pilot Rebecca Bennett in November. Kean ran unopposed in the GOP primary election; however, the New Jersey Republican\u2019s absence has sparked GOP concern about whether he will be able to maintain his seat in November.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4628187\/how-much-voters-know-lawmakers-health\/\"><strong>HOW MUCH SHOULD VOTERS KNOW ABOUT LAWMAKERS\u2019 HEALTH?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New Jersey Republican is seeking his third term in Congress in one of the nation\u2019s most competitive seats, and winning it will be crucial to the GOP\u2019s effort to hold its narrow House majority. President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> narrowly carried the district in 2024 after former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"471\">Joe Biden<\/a> won it in 2020.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Democrats are targeting Kean\u2019s seat as a prime pickup opportunity, with Kean being the only New Jersey Republican on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee\u2019s \u201cDistricts in Play\u201d target list.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Lauren Green contributed to this story.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This story is developing and will be updated.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rep. Tom Kean Jr. returns after 4 months, citing depression<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2912,"featured_media":2621485,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2284019533.jpg?w=594","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4402,9880,78519,35390,5894],"class_list":["post-2621484","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-congress","tag-depression","tag-kean","tag-mental-health","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/GettyImages-2284019533.jpg?w=594","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2621484","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2912"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2621484"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2621484\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2621488,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2621484\/revisions\/2621488"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2621485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2621484"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2621484"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2621484"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}