Republican Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. of New Jersey, who has missed votes in the House for more than a month, has broken his silence over his prolonged absence from Capitol Hill.<\/p>\n
In a statement\u00a0posted<\/u>\u00a0Monday on X, Kean said he expects to return to the Capitol “very soon” as he deals with a “personal medical issue.”<\/p>\n
“My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon. I expect to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent,” he said.<\/p>\n
Kean said, “I take my responsibilities seriously and have a strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult.”<\/p>\n
Kean, 57, cast his last vote on March 5.\u00a0Since then, he’s missed 50 roll call votes.<\/p>\n
As House Speaker Mike Johnson navigates a narrow majority, a Republican member’s prolonged absence could impact the ability to move must-pass legislation and President Donald Trump’s agenda.<\/p>\n
Johnson is currently trying to pass Department of Homeland Security funding, a long-term extension of FISA and the farm bill — all relying on Republican votes. He can afford to lose only two votes on any party-line bill, and that’s if all members are present and voting.<\/p>\n
Johnson said in a statement provided to ABC News that he spoke to Kean by phone last Thursday, and that he is dealing with an unspecified “personal health matter.”<\/p>\n