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Tom Kean says depression is why he was missing from Congress : NPR
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- New Jersey Republican Congressman Thomas Kean Jr. revealed that struggles with depression caused his nearly four-month absence from Congress, during which he missed numerous votes and appearances without explanation to constituents.
- Kean was hospitalized for testing and treatment after health concerns and was diagnosed with depression, leading to a longer recovery period than initially expected.
- His absence posed challenges for House Republicans, who hold a slim majority, and sparked rumors due to a lack of detailed communication from Kean and his office.
- Despite his absence, Kean won the GOP primary and will face Democrat Rebecca Bennett in the upcoming midterm elections; Bennett has criticized his absence and performance.
- Kean follows a family legacy in politics and is not the first member of Congress to publicly discuss depression, with Sen. John Fetterman similarly taking leave for the illness in 2023.
