According to emerging reports, Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) is going to miss yet another week of House votes as the GOP continues to struggle with managing their wire-thin majority as the congressman remains out of play due to a still undisclosed health issue. Kean, 57, has not been present to cast a vote in the House since March 5.
As a result of his long absence, Kean has missed a total of 70 consecutive roll-call votes, according to congressional tracking data. His office confirmed with the media that the two-term congressman will not be present in Washington again this week and details about why are still scant. “Congressman Kean is still attending to a personal health matter, and we appreciate the outpouring of support,” Dan Scharfenberger, Kean’s chief of staff, said in a statement.
“He will be returning to a full schedule soon.” Kean’s absence has created numerous problems for Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) and his efforts to pass key legislation through the the narrowly divided chamber. Republicans hold a very slim majority in the House, which leaves the GOP with very little wiggle room for defections or absences on party-line votes.
According to Trending Politics News, Johnson revealed that he spoke with Kean directly and expects him to make a full recovery from whatever health issues he’s currently facing. “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 went on to say.
Kean represents New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, one of the country’s most competitive swing districts. Democrats have set their sights on Kean’s seat and are aggressively working to flip it blue ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Four Democrats are now competing in the primary for the seat. Things are so close that the Cook Political Report referred to the race as a “toss-up.”
Despite Kean’s absence on Capitol Hill, the congressman’s office has continued to post updates on legislation through social media and says that its service to constituents remains uninterrupted. In April 2026, Kean provided an update on his condition saying, “I want to thank my constituents and colleagues for their patience as I address a personal medical issue.”
“My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon. I expect to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent,” he added. “I take my responsibilities seriously and have a strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult.”
"*" indicates required fields
“I am especially proud of my congressional team, who have kept constituent services and legislative work moving forward without interruption, and my political team for ensuring the campaign continues to run strong,” the New Jersey Republican said. How much his absence will impact his re-election campaign and Republican efforts to hold his seat in the House of Representatives remains to be seen.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video