Mike Johnson

Representative Tom Kean Jr. has been absent from Congress for three months, a stretch that has intensified scrutiny after House Speaker Mike Johnson said Kean is dealing with a “rare” health issue that the congressman asked him not to disclose, per PBS political correspondent Lisa Desjardins.

Kean represents one of the most competitive districts in the country, and his prolonged silence has left constituents without visible engagement from their member of Congress. His absence is affecting legislative work, campaign activity, and political dynamics in a district both parties view as a top battleground heading into 2026.

Johnson told reporters he knows the nature of Kean’s condition but is honoring Kean’s request for privacy, adding that the diagnosis “will make sense” once revealed. That comment marked the most detailed acknowledgment yet from Republican leadership, which has faced growing pressure to explain why Kean has not appeared publicly since early March.

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Tom Kean Has Been Absent From Congress: What to Know

Kean’s last recorded vote was on March 5, when he supported the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. After Congress recessed, he did not return when the House reconvened on March 16. His office later told The New Jersey Globe that he was addressing a “personal health matter” and would resume a full schedule soon, but provided no timeline or specifics.

As the weeks passed, concern spread among colleagues. By late April, Kean had missed more than 50 votes, and two fellow New Jersey Republicans—Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew—said they had reached out repeatedly without hearing back. Van Drew described the situation as “radio silence.” Kean’s consultants insisted he would return soon, but the lack of visibility fueled speculation, especially as he skipped fundraisers and district events in a seat decided by narrow margins in recent elections.

Kean attempted to quell the uncertainty on April 27, releasing a statement saying doctors expect a full recovery and acknowledging that the absence had been difficult. He praised his staff for keeping constituent services running and said he remained committed to seeking reelection. His father, former Governor Tom Kean Sr., later told CNN that his son had suffered “a real illness” but would be “100% OK.”