WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Tom Kean Jr. has been absent from the U.S. House since early March while addressing a personal health matter, his office said. The New Jersey Republican is expected to return to a full schedule soon.

"He is addressing a personal health matter and will be returning to a regular full schedule," said Dan Scharfenberger, Kean's chief of staff. Kean, 57, last voted in the House on March 5, according to voting records maintained by the House clerk. He has skipped more than four dozen votes since that date. According to GovTrack data, Kean had a near-perfect attendance record until earlier this year.

On Wednesday, Kean posted on social media that two of his bills advanced past committee. He was not present on Capitol Hill that day.

Speaker Mike Johnson said he spoke to Kean by phone on Thursday afternoon and that the congressman expects to be back to full capacity very soon. "Tom is one of the most dedicated and hardest working Members of Congress, and I am grateful for all he does and will continue to do to serve New Jerseyans and our country," Johnson said.

Harrison Neely, a consultant, offered a similar message about Kean's return. "I know the congressman and his family appreciate all of the well wishes and support. Please know that he will be back on a regular full schedule very soon," Neely said.

Kean, a two-term member first elected to the House in 2022, is running for re-election in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, which runs from the suburbs of New York City to the northwest border of the state. The Cook Political Report rates the contest as a Toss Up. The winner of the four-way Democratic primary in the district will face Kean in November.

The House has 217 Republican members, 212 Democratic members, one independent who caucuses with Republicans, and five vacant seats.