WASHINGTON ― Rep. Tom Kean (R-N.J.) on Tuesday finally revealed the health problem that’s kept him from the Capitol for nearly four months: depression.

In a speech on the House floor, Kean said he’d been hospitalized.

“I entered the hospital for some testing. I did not believe that this would result in a long-term stay. I was given the diagnosis of depression,” Kean said. “When I first informed the public I was dealing with a medical issue, I was still trying to understand what was happening myself.”

Kean did not explain why he refused to disclose his illness, though he described himself as “a private person by nature” and said it was not an easy speech to give. He offered few details.

“The doctors recommended that I remain in the hospital to address my illness. They explained to me that this would be the fastest way to recovery, and to be honest, I was hesitant. I didn’t think that I had time for it,” Kean said, adding that he had responsibilities to his family, to his constituents and to Congress.

“Like many people, I believed that I could simply push through,” Kean said. “But I agreed to follow my doctor’s recommendations, again, not believing that it would result in a long-term stay. I began to understand not only my diagnosis, but how long depression had been affecting my life.”

After the speech, Kean left the Capitol, avoiding the several dozen reporters waiting to speak to him in the House hallways.

While it’s not uncommon for lawmakers to be absent from Washington due to illness, it’s unusual to miss votes for months, and extremely unusual for an absent lawmaker to offer no explanation whatsoever. Kean said on social media in April that he was experiencing a “personal medical issue” with a full recovery expected.

In May, when reporters pressed for information, Kean’s chief of staff cryptically said, “There’s no cameras where Tom is.”

Other lawmakers have been more upfront about their mental health or substance issues. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) announced in February 2023 he’d checked himself into a hospital the previous day to be treated for depression.

Kean’s long absence could hurt his reelection bid in November. He will face Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot. After winning the Democratic primary earlier this month, Bennett faulted Kean for voting for Republican legislation to cut Medicare and for failing to stop President Donald Trump from holding up funding for a commuter tunnel. And she alluded to his hiding act.

“Tom Kean Jr., wherever you are ― you have failed this district,” Bennett said.

In a statement on Tuesday, Bennett said she’s relieved Kean is well and wished him good health.

“But let’s be clear: I got into this race because Tom Kean Jr. was failing our community long before this absence,” Bennett said, also faulting Kean for having sold stocks during his absence, according to financial disclosure forms.

Before Kean spoke on Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters it was a common condition and that he expected people to understand Kean’s situation, even if he would have handled it differently.

“If it were me, I would have been more specific about that,” Johnson said.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misidentified Sen. John Fetterman’s political party. He is a Democrat.

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