Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) has been missing from Congress for weeks. The last time he cast a vote was March 5. He’s missed 88 House votes since then.
Worse, no one really knows why he’s gone, other than some vague reference to an illness (we hope he’s okay, by the way).
And on Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) didn’t do much to clear the air with an equally vague update, per NJ.com:
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Wednesday that he hasn’t spoken to U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in several weeks while offering a vague timeline for the absent congressman’s return to Washington.
“We’re expecting him back here soon. He’s had a medical issue and he’s gonna be fully transparent and disclose all that,” Johnson told reporters. “I mean, that’s what he told me. But I don’t even know the details, and I have to respect that.”
Johnson said Kean Jr. sounded “good and optimistic” on their last phone call and signaled that the two-term Republican lawmaker plans to remain on the ballot for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district election this November.
Johnson stated that Kean Jr. sounded “good and optimistic” during their last phone call.
He also indicated that the two-term Republican lawmaker intends to remain on the ballot for New Jersey’s 7th congressional district election this November.
“He’ll get reelected because he comes from a long history, a legacy in his family of faithful public service,” Johnson said of Kean Jr., the son of former Gov. Tom Kean Sr.
“Things happen to people individually in their health and otherwise, and they deal with challenges and they get right back. That’s what champions do, and Tom Kean is one of ‘em,” he said.
Johnson ended the press conference without answering a reporter’s question about whether Kean Jr. owes voters more transparency amid his lengthy absence from Congress.
Now look, people have rough patches in life. That is especially true when it comes to health issues. And we’re certainly praying for Kean.
The whereabouts of Representative Tom Kean, Jr. remain a mystery; the New Jersey Republican has remained absent from Capitol Hill for months as he deals with an undisclosed health issue. But in recent days, Kean has shown signs of life, with the congressman making calls to… pic.twitter.com/e1EhoiWXoK
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) May 26, 2026
But it’s been months, and the people who elected him have had zero representation. What’s worse, at this point, they have no idea what’s wrong with him or when – or if – he really will be back.
And with the razor-thin majority the GOP has in the House, if Kean can’t return soon, then he should be replaced via special election. The people of his district deserve to be represented, and House Republicans could sure use another reliable vote.
Let’s hope this issue resolves itself, and soon.
