Rep. Tom Kean returns to Congress, says depression is why he went missing for months - BERITAJA

Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., R-N.J., arrives astatine the U.S. Capitol pinch his woman Rhonda Kean connected June 30. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

New Jersey Republican Thomas Kean Jr. said it was struggles pinch slump that kept him distant from Congress for about 4 months pinch nary mentation to his constituents.

Kean past voted on March 5th, missing galore votes and different appearances connected Capitol Hill since. In April, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he had spoken to Kean and that he was dealing pinch an undisclosed aesculapian issue. Kean was not spotted until recently astatine his New Jersey home.

Speaking from the House level connected Tuesday, the 2nd word lawmaker said he had checked into a infirmary for testing respective months agone aft wellness concerns, and was subsequently diagnosed pinch depression.

"Talking about myself has ne'er travel naturally," Kean said. "But I judge that I beryllium an mentation to the group of New Jersey's seventh district, to my colleagues successful this enclosure and to the American group for my absence."

Kean said he primitively did not deliberation his test would consequence successful a semipermanent absence. Doctors recommended he stay successful the infirmary to reside the illness, and it was his fastest way to recovery, he said.

"It is physical. It is emotional," he said. "And until you acquisition it yourself, it is difficult to afloat understand really powerful this unwellness could be."

Kean said he miscalculated really agelong he would beryllium away, estimating it would beryllium a matter of weeks. However, he said for illustration the about 48 cardinal Americans who person battled the illness, he learned location is nary timeline for recovery.

"I americium grateful that I accepted help," Kean said. "Today I guidelines earlier you healthier, stronger and excited to return to the activity that I love."

Kean's absence proved a struggle for House Republicans, who contend pinch a razor bladed mostly to walk statement priorities. For weeks, Kean and his agency declined to stock further specifications connected why he was away, feeding rumors and speculation and raising liking successful a personnel known for his privacy.

Despite his absence, Kean won the GOP superior earlier this period to take sides his spot successful Congress successful this fall's midterm elections. He will look Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a erstwhile U.S. Navy chopper aviator and healthcare executive.

Bennett has targeted Kean's absence successful her campaign. Democrats person said Kean's 7th legislature territory is simply a apical target to flip successful their pursuit of taking backmost the majority.

"Tom Kean Junior, wherever you are, you person grounded this district," Bennett told supporters astatine an arena past week.

Kean is not the first personnel of Congress successful caller years to speak publically about their struggles pinch depression. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., took leave from the Capitol successful 2023 aft he was diagnosed pinch the illness. In Fetterman's case, his agency announced the news wrong days of his starting treatment.

Kean was elected to Congress for his first word opening successful 2023, flipping a territory that was represented by erstwhile Democratic Congressman Tom Malinowski.