Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Discloses Depression Diagnosis After Four-Month Congressional Absence

Rep. Tom Kean Jr., a Republican congressman from New Jersey, announced on the House floor that he has been receiving treatment for depression, which explains his unexplained four-month absence from Congress.

He described the illness as both physical and emotional and said that only personal experience can reveal how powerful it is. He added that he kept the condition private because he is a private person by nature.

Kean returned after winning an uncontested primary on June 2 and after his last vote on March 5. His prolonged absence had created difficulties for House Republican leaders trying to pass bills with their narrow majority.

Following his brief remarks, he left the Capitol quickly and declined to answer reporters, offering no further details about his hospitalization or treatment plan.