Tom Kean Jr. admits depression after months away

After nearly four months missing from Capitol Hill, Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. told the House on June 30 that the “medical emergency” keeping him away was a diagnosis of depression—explaining he was hospitalized for treatment and urged by doctors to stay lon

On the House floor on Tuesday, June 30, Tom Kean Jr. finally stood in front of the country and said what he had refused to spell out for months.

“This is not an easy speech for me to give. ” the 57-year-old New Jersey congressman said as he explained why he had remained largely out of public view. Kean described himself as “a private person by nature. ” and said he had spent most of his life focused on “the people that I represent. ” the issues facing his district. and the work underway in Washington. But. he added. “I believe that I owe an explanation” to the people of New Jersey’s 7th District. to colleagues in the House. and to “the American people.”.

Kean said he had been admitted to a hospital “several months ago” due to health concerns and diagnosed with depression. While he initially expected to return within weeks, he said doctors advised him to remain hospitalized because it offered the “fastest way to recovery.”

“When people hear the word depression, many people think it simply means feeling sad,” Kean told the chamber. “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 also acknowledged that some earlier statements predicting a quick return reflected what he genuinely believed at the time. “There is no timeline to healing,” he said.

Kean ended his remarks with a message aimed at the present moment, not the speculation that had grown in his absence. “Today I stand before you healthier, stronger and excited to return to the work that I love,” he said.

The disclosure comes after Kean missed more than 130 roll-call votes since March 5. His office had previously disclosed only that he was dealing with a “medical emergency. ” and his continued absence—from Capitol Hill and from clear public explanation—turned into a months-long source of political questions.

Earlier this month. Kean announced on X that he would transition from virtual work back to in-person duties and promised he would be “completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition.” On Tuesday. he also thanked supporters for “the patience. the kindness. the prayers and the concern that have been shown” toward his family during his recovery.

Because Kean represents New Jersey’s competitive 7th Congressional District—a seat Democrats are hoping to flip in November—his absence drew extra attention. As Republicans navigate a razor-thin House majority. every missed vote carries weight. and the delay in clarity made it easier for critics to fill the gap.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had repeatedly encouraged Kean to provide more details about his condition. Johnson said he understood Kean had delivered a speech on the House floor that hour. but that he “doesn’t know exactly what he said.” Still. Johnson added. “I hope that he was fully transparent. as I encouraged him many times over the last few months to be.” He went further. saying. “If it were me. I would have been more specific about that.”.

Several Democrats offered a different tone after the announcement. Rep. Ro Khanna said in a statement shared with Newsweek that “we need to have some grace for people who have depression.” Khanna said he wished it was more transparent. adding Kean “could have said. ‘I have a health issue.’” But he also argued that “we should be attacking someone because they have a mental health issue.”.

Rep. Seth Magaziner said he was “glad” that Kean “got the care he needs.”

Not everyone reacted with restraint.

Before Kean revealed his diagnosis, Rep. Lauren Boebert publicly questioned why he had been away from Washington for so long. In an interview with TMZ earlier in June, Boebert asked, “Where is he?” She added, “No, seriously. It’s embarrassing. We’re supposed to be the party that is against campaigning from the basement.”.

Boebert also said she “ha[sn’t] heard from him. ” and claimed she had “heard people cover for him.” She argued that Kean’s absence hurt Republicans while they worked with a narrow House majority. saying. “I mean. sure. we need a majority. but under these circumstances?” She then contrasted her own campaign focus with Kean’s absence. saying. “I worked my a** off to get reelected and serve the people of my district. This guy hasn’t been here since, what?. March?”.

Boebert’s questions remained pointed and repeated: “Where is he? Is he in the hospital? Where is he? I don’t know!”

The House floor remarks on June 30 closed a chapter that had stretched from March 5 to nearly four months later. when Kean’s absence finally stopped being a “medical emergency” in vague terms and became a specific diagnosis. He said he is now “healthier. stronger” and “excited to return. ” while also leaving one message intact for his constituents and the people watching from afar: healing has no timeline.

Tom Kean Jr. depression diagnosis House floor speech New Jersey 7th District Mike Johnson Lauren Boebert Ro Khanna Seth Magaziner political speculation House majority