Republican Rep. Tom Kean’s two-month absence continues as House returns

CongressRepublican Rep. Tom Kean’s two-month absence continues as House returnsThe New Jersey Republican has not voted in the House since March 5, citing a “personal health matter.” He’s running for re-election in a top swing district targeted by Democrats this year.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., at the U.S. Capitol in 2025.Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleMay 12, 2026, 3:54 PM EDTBy Kyle Stewart and Sarah MimmsWASHINGTON — Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey, who has not voted in the House since March 5, will miss another week of work in Washington as the House returns Tuesday, his office told NBC News.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Kean’s office has said his two-month absence is related to a “personal health matter” but has not elaborated. The congressman has missed 68 votes in the House, including on legislation to end the record 75-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.Kean, 57, is also running for re-election in his Westfield-based seat, New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, which is a top target for Democrats in November. Kean does not have a Republican opponent in the state’s June 2 primary, having earned President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Four Democrats are competing for the nomination to run against him in November, according to the New Jersey Globe.“Congressman Kean is still attending to a personal health matter and we appreciate the outpouring of support,” Kean’s chief of staff, Dan Scharfenberger, said in a statement that was first given to the New Jersey Globe. “He will be returning to a regular full schedule soon. The Congressman’s team continues to serve the people of New Jersey uninterrupted.”Scharfenberger previously said that the congressman “is addressing a personal health matter” in a late April statement.Kean was first elected to the House in 2022.ShareAdd...