WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Tom Kean Jr., a Republican from New Jersey, returned to Capitol Hill on June 15, 2026, after an absence of over 100 days. On the day of his return, Kean Jr. delivered a speech on the House floor acknowledging he had been on leave due to depression and held five high-dollar fundraising events.

Kean Jr., 57, last cast a vote in the House on March 5, 2026. During his period of absence from Washington, D.C., and his home district, the representative raised campaign funds and traded stocks. U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert stated, "I think it's unacceptable."

Kean Jr. previously served in the New Jersey Senate for two decades. Over his career in the state Senate, he voted against paid parental and family leave laws in both 2008 and 2018. He also voted against New Jersey's Earned Sick Leave Act, which mandates five days of paid sick leave annually for workers in the state. Additionally, Kean Jr. voted against New Jersey's No Surprise Medical Bills Act and supported work requirements for Medicaid.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson defended Kean Jr.'s return. When asked about Kean Jr.'s activities during his leave, Johnson stated, "It's a really unfair question." Johnson also conveyed support, saying, "We're in your corner and we're behind you 100%."

Why It Matters

This event underscores congressional attendance and member conduct during absences. Kean Jr.'s acknowledgment of depression follows other instances of public officials addressing mental health concerns, such as Senator John Fetterman's hospitalization for clinical depression in 2023. The situation also draws attention to the intersection of personal leaves with official duties and campaigning activities, an area where House Judiciary Democrats have also requested answers regarding Donald Trump's medical team.