Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday and announced he had been diagnosed with depression [1].

The disclosure follows a months-long absence from the U.S. House of Representatives that left his seat vacant during critical legislative activity. His return and openness about mental health come at a time when congressional attendance and member wellness are under increased scrutiny.

Kean said that his time away from Washington was necessary for medical treatment. "My absence was due to a severe depressive episode that required a long‑term hospital stay," Kean said [4]. He addressed his colleagues and the public from the House floor, where he said, "I was diagnosed with depression" [1].

Records indicate that the congressman was away for nearly four months [2]. His last vote before the hiatus occurred on March 5, 2026 [4]. During this period of absence, Kean missed more than 140 votes [4] — a gap that left his New Jersey constituents without active representation in the chamber.

Following his treatment, Kean said he is prepared to resume his full duties. "I was treated for depression and am now back to serve my constituents," Kean said [3].

The congressman's absence had sparked questions regarding his whereabouts and the status of his office. By disclosing the diagnosis, Kean provided a medical explanation for the lack of communication and the prolonged nature of his leave. The use of a long-term hospital stay as a primary reason for the absence highlights the severity of the episode he faced.

“"I was diagnosed with depression," Kean said on the House floor.”

The public admission by a sitting member of Congress regarding a severe depressive episode and hospitalization reflects a shifting culture toward mental health transparency in federal government. However, the scale of the absence — missing over 140 votes — underscores the tension between a representative's right to medical privacy and the democratic requirement for consistent constituent representation.