Tom Kean Jr. Reveals Depression Caused His Months-Long House Absence

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. revealed on Tuesday that his nearly four-month absence from Congress was caused by a severe case of depression.

The New Jersey Republican disclosed the illness in a speech on the House floor shortly after his return to the U.S. Capitol, his first public appearance since he disappeared earlier this year.

“When people hear the word depression, many people think simply feel it means feeling sad, but depression is so much more than that, it is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be,” he said.

“When I first informed the public that I was dealing with a medical issue, I was still trying to understand what was happening myself. When I said I hope to return in a matter of weeks, I believed it,” Kean added.

The congressman said “I’m good,” when asked by reporters how he’s feeling following his speech on Tuesday. Kean immediately exited the Capitol and declined to answer further questions.

The New Jersey Republican was spotted publicly for the first time in months last week, when a New York Times reporter spoke briefly with the congressman at his home. He declined to answer questions about his condition, but promised earlier this month that he would be “completely transparent” about his medical condition when he returned to in-person work.

“Congressman Kean is eager to return to in-person work on June 30 and resume a full schedule,” Harrison Neely, Kean’s spokesperson, told NOTUS earlier this month.

Kean said on Tuesday that he did not know how long his hospital stay would be when he was first admitted.

“I am grateful that I accepted help, because today I stand before you healthier, stronger, and excited to return to the work that I love,” Kean said. “Asking for help is not a weakness, it is a strength.”

He is not the only lawmaker to seek mental health treatment in recent years. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) spent six weeks in the hospital to receive treatment for clinical depression in 2023, following a stroke the previous year. At the time, Fetterman said his depression worsened after he won his election.

Kean has faced sharp criticism for refraining from disclosing his medical issue to his constituents, particularly in an election year.

Kean’s district in northern New Jersey is a top target for Democrats in the midterms, and rated a “toss up” by the Cook Political Report. In November, Kean will face off against Rebecca Bennett, the Democratic nominee and a former Navy helicopter pilot, who has criticized his near-total silence on his medical condition.

Kean won the uncontested Republican primary earlier this month. President Donald Trump gave Kean his “Complete and Total Endorsement” in a Truth Social post from May.

“HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!” Trump wrote.

The congressman said in a statement on the day of the primary that he was “more energized than ever” and “focused on my recovery.”

Kean’s team was active during his absence. The Republican has introduced legislation and approved staff trips. His social media accounts have been active with first-person posts. He also traded eight different stocks in March, a NOTUS review of congressional financial disclosures found.