Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson addressed reports concerning the long absence of GOP Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. of New Jersey Friday after the congressman missed votes for over a month without providing any details to the public.
Kean, 57, was first elected in 2022. He cast his last vote on March 5, but has missed 50 roll call votes since then, ABC Newsreported.
Johnson provided a statement to ABC News saying he spoke with Kean over the phone Thursday, adding that the New Jersey Republican is battling a “personal health matter.”
“I was happy to speak to Tom Kean, Jr. this afternoon by phone,” the statement read. “He is attending to a personal health matter and expects to be back to 100 percent very soon.”
“Tom is one of the most dedicated and hardest-working Members of Congress, and I am grateful for all he does and will continue to do to serve New Jerseyans and our country,” Johnson concluded.
Kean’s spokeswoman, Noelle Berriet, did not answer multiple media requests from the outlet regarding the congressman’s status.
Kean’s strategist, Harrison Neely, said, “The congressman is dealing with a personal medical issue. He’s going to be 100 percent fine and he’s going to be back with a full schedule soon.”
No specific date was given for his return.
Kean’s fellow House Republicans from New Jersey, Reps. Jeff Van Drew and Chris Smith, said they both have tried to get in touch with him but have been unsuccessful thus far.
“We’ve both reached out. Don’t know,” Smith said,accordingto New Jersey Spotlight News.
Source: VidNews » Feed
