Tom Kean Jr Absences Reach 68 Votes as House Returns

Tom Kean Jr absences will stretch into another week after the New Jersey Republican missed votes in the House since March 5. His office said the two-month absence is tied to a personal health matter, while the House returns Tuesday without him.

Kean has missed 68 votes. He also missed legislation to end the record 75-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, leaving one of the state’s most competitive congressional districts represented by an absent member during a busy stretch on Capitol Hill.

March 5 to Tuesday

Kean last voted on March 5 and has not made a public appearance since early March. In early April, some of his colleagues reached out to check how he was doing, and their calls went unanswered.

His office later issued a written statement in late April saying he would return to a full schedule very soon. Last week, a member of Kean’s political operation told Politico, “Of course Congressman Kean is running for re-election.”

Mike Johnson on Tuesday

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that he did not know when Kean would return to work. Asked directly when that would happen, Johnson said, “I don't know.”

Kean has been in Congress for more than three years, and his prolonged absence now leaves no public timetable for when he will be back voting. For now, the practical effect is simple: his district goes another week without its representative participating in House votes.