Mysteriously missing New Jersey Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. has set a June 30 date to return to Congress — after having been absent from Capitol Hill since early March, his adviser said.
“Congressman Kean is eager to return to in-person work on June 30 and resume a full schedule,” his political advisor, Harrison Neely, told The Post.
The House is currently slated to break for Independence Day recess on July 2, just days after his planned return.
Kean (R-NJ) has missed over 135 roll call votes since March 5, when he last cast one. The Garden State Republican’s team told reporters that he was “dealing with a personal health matter” and “focused on his recovery” during his time away from the House.
To date, it’s still not clear exactly what health situation kept him away from Congress for just under four months.
Kean represents one of the most competitive districts in the country and did not make an appearance when he won the Republican nomination for his uncontested reelection.
The congressman is facing a bruising battle against Democrat Rebecca Bennett in New Jersey’s 7th district this cycle.
At times, some of Kean’s colleagues didn’t know what was going on with him.
However, he has since had calls with key Republicans and did a brief interview with the New Jersey Globe, where he claimed that the health situation wasn’t impacting his cognitive skills and isn’t chronic.
“My doctors are confident that I’m on the road to a full recovery,” Kean, 57, told the New Jersey Globe on May 21. “I understand the need for public transparency, and I appreciate the support of my constituents.
“I anticipate that in the next couple of weeks, I’ll return to voting and to the campaign trail.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has defended Kean during his absence and contended that the congressman will eventually explain to the public what happened to him.
“I do know what his health issue is, but he’s asked me not to disclose that, and I’m going to honor that,” Johnson told reporters earlier this month.
“He’s in good spirits,” the speaker explained. “It’s not a scandalous thing at all. People deal with health issues. Maybe that’s a newsflash for you, but even members of Congress get sick as well.”
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