Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) has been absent from the U.S. House since early March while he addresses a "personal health matter," his office says. Kean last voted on March 5, and his chief of staff says he will return to a regular full schedule. Speaker Mike Johnson says Kean "expects to be back to 100% very soon." The absence is politically notable because Republicans hold a slim House majority and Kean is running for re-election in a competitive New Jersey district.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Absent From House Since March While He Addresses 'Personal Health Matter'; Return Expected Soon
Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., last voted in the House on March 5. (Bill Clark / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images file)(Bill Clark)
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) has been absent from the U.S. House of Representatives since early March while he addresses a "personal health matter," his office said. Kean last cast a vote on March 5, according to voting records maintained by the House clerk.
What Officials Are Saying
Dan Scharfenberger, Kean's chief of staff, told NBC News by email that the congressman "is addressing a personal health matter and will be returning to a regular full schedule." Speaker Mike Johnson said he spoke with Kean by phone and quoted him as saying he "expects to be back to 100% very soon." In a statement first provided to The New York Times and then to NBC News, Johnson praised Kean as "one of the most dedicated and hardest working Members of Congress."
Political Context
Kean's absence comes at a politically sensitive moment. Republicans hold a slim House majority — 217 GOP members, 212 Democrats and one independent (Rep. Kevin Kiley of California, who caucuses with Republicans) — so individual absences can be consequential for close votes.
District And Campaign
Kean, 57, was first elected to the House in 2022 and is seeking re-election in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, a competitive suburban district that stretches from the New York City suburbs to the state's northwest border. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report currently rates the race a "Toss Up." The Democratic nominee will emerge from a four-way primary and face Kean in November.
Broader Health Developments Among Lawmakers
Kean's situation is one of several health-related matters affecting members of Congress this year. Separately, Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.) disclosed a terminal diagnosis, according to public statements, and Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) recently died at age 80 after a period of visible health challenges.
Key takeaway: Kean's office says he will resume a full, regular schedule, but it provided no specific timeline beyond the expectation that he will return to full duties soon.
As Kean recovers, his return date will be closely watched both by constituents in New Jersey's 7th District and by House leaders weighing narrow legislative margins.
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