Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr.’s two-month absence continues as House returns
- House of Representatives for the week beginning May 12, 2026, according to his office.
- Kean, 57, has not cast a vote in the House since March 5, 2026.
- These include legislative actions to end a 75-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
Republican Representative Tom Kean Jr. Of New Jersey will be absent from the U.S. House of Representatives for the week beginning May 12, 2026, according to his office.
Kean, 57, has not cast a vote in the House since March 5, 2026. His office has attributed the absence to a personal health matter but has not provided further details regarding his condition.
During this period, the congressman has missed 68 votes. These include legislative actions to end a 75-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
Dan Scharfenberger, chief of staff for Kean, previously stated in late April 2026 that the congressman was addressing a personal health matter. In a subsequent statement, Scharfenberger provided an update on Kean’s status.
Congressman Kean is still attending to a personal health matter and we appreciate the outpouring of support. He will be returning to a regular full schedule soon. The Congressman’s team continues to serve the people of New Jersey uninterrupted. Dan Scharfenberger
Election and District Context
Kean was first elected to the House in 2022 and is currently seeking re-election to represent New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, which is based in Westfield.
The seat is considered a top target for Democrats in the November 2026 election. While Kean has earned the endorsement of President Donald Trump and faces no Republican opponent in the June 2, 2026 primary, four Democrats are competing for the nomination to challenge him.