GOP Rep. Tom Kean returns to Congress, says he was diagnosed with depression

Washington — Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey announced Tuesday that he was diagnosed with depression, which resulted in a lengthy stay in the hospital and kept him out of the public eye for months.

“I’m grateful to accept the help,” Kean said in a speech on the House floor. “Asking for help is not weakness, it is strength.”

Kean, who is seeking a third term in a competitive district, last voted on March 5 and missed more than 140 votes as House GOP leaders sought to advance legislative priorities with little room to spare.

Kean said that when he was diagnosed, he initially went to the hospital for testing due to health problems and doctors recommended that he stay in hospital for treatment of the disease.

“When people hear the word ‘depression’ now, many think it means feeling sad, but depression is so much more than that. It’s physical, it’s emotional, and until you experience it yourself it’s hard to fully understand how powerful this illness can be,” she said.

Kean said that during his hospital stay, he “began to understand not only my diagnosis, but also how long depression had affected my life.”

“There’s no timeline for recovery, there’s no timeline for recovery, it’s just a matter of getting better one day at a time,” Kean added.

Before Kean’s speech, House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he would be more forthcoming about his situation.

“If it were me, I would have been more specific about that and I encouraged him to be that way,” the Louisiana Republican said.

Still, Johnson defended Kean, saying the New Jersey Republican’s staff was “working overtime” and was in “constant contact” with his office.

“I think their constituents have been served throughout this process,” Johnson said. “I think Tom will easily win re-election this fall.”

Kean’s months-long absence

Johnson said he spoke to Kean on the phone on April 24 after his long-term absence became known and that he was “dealing with a personal health matter and expects to be back to 100% very soon.” Johnson told reporters weeks later that Kean had sounded “good and optimistic” during their meeting in April. “I don’t even know the details” of his situation, the Louisiana Republican added.

Kean’s first public statement His absence came in late April when the congressman said he was citing a “personal medical issue.”

“My doctors continue to reassure me that my recovery will be complete and I will return to the job I love very soon,” he said in a statement dated April 27. It was said. “I expect to be back to full schedule and 100 percent ready.”

He gave no details about the matter, and comments from employees and family members weeks later deepened the mystery surrounding his absence.

Chief of Staff “There are no cameras where Tom is” said The New York Times declines to go into detail.

Kean’s father, former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean Sr. NJ.com On May 15, she said her son’s illness was “serious” but temporary and that he was under the care of a doctor away from home. He added that it “will be out in two or three weeks.”

“It took a real illness to knock him out,” said the elder Kean. said In another interview with CNN on May 15: “This will not last long. This is not the type of illness that will incapacitate him in the future. The consensus is that he will be 100% fine.”

Still, Kean’s social media accounts continued to post from a first-person perspective. Room introduced legislation and digitally signed congressional disclosure documents related to securities transactions. Electronic signatures are outdated March 18, 13 April And May 22.

On a phone call on May 21 report Speaking to the New Jersey Globe, Kean said his doctors were “confident that I am on the path to full recovery” and that he understands “the need for public transparency.”

he published another expression through its campaign on June 2, the day of the primary elections. ran unopposed.

“I am currently focused on my recovery and, under the advice of healthcare professionals, will transition from virtual work to in-person work within a few weeks. I will be fully transparent about the nature of my medical condition at that time,” Kean said.

Asked how it was acceptable for a member of Congress to be absent for months without further explanation, Johnson said. in question “This isn’t scandalous at all.”

“I know what the health issue is, but he asked me not to disclose it and I will honor that,” Johnson said at a press conference on June 3. “What he’s dealing with is not very common and it’s not a big deal.”

“Once you explain this, everything will make sense,” he said.

Kean a week before his return to the Capitol answered the door He was wearing a suit and tie at his home in New Jersey when a New York Times reporter knocked on the door. He declined to provide details about his absence.