Tom Kean Jr’s prolonged absence puts pressure on House Republicans’razor-thin majority

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House Republicans face a critical week for must-pass legislation, but one GOP lawmaker who has tallied dozens of missed votes may not be present.

Rep.Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., has missed more than a month of votes due to an unspecified health issue.It remains to be seen whether the two-term lawmaker will be absent again this week as the House considers a budget blueprint tofund immigration enforcementand legislation reauthorizing the government’s warrantless surveillance powers.

Kean’s prolonged absence comes asHouse Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.,can afford to lose just a handful of votes on party-line legislation given House Republicans’ razor-thin majority.

“He’s expected to be totally fine and back to a full schedule soon,� 

GOP Rep. Thomas Kean standing and speaking

Rep.Tom Kean, R-N.J., has missed dozens of roll call votes due to an unspecified health issue.(Getty Images)

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Neely did not specify when Kean plans to resume work or the nature and extent of his illness.

Kean has missed 50 roll call votes since March 17, amounting to a 100% absence rate, according to GovTrack, a website that monitors congressional absences.He last voted on March 5 — nearly two months ago.

Johnson said Thursday that he spoke to Kean by phone and expects him to make a full recovery.

“He is attending to a personal health matter and expects to be back to 100% 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.”

Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise speaking at a news conference with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole in Washington D.C.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Thursday that he spoke by phone to Rep.Tom Kean, R-N.J., who is expected to make a full recovery.(Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg)

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The scrutiny over Kean’s extended absences comes as national Democrats are aggressivelytargeting his swing seatahead of November’s midterm elections.The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates Kean’s re-election contest as a “toss-up.”

Keanfended off Democratic candidate Sue Altmanby five points in 2024.Four Democratic challengers are vying in a June primary to unseat him.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) sharply criticized Kean for not disclosing his specific health issue to his constituents.

“New Jersey voters deserve to know where Congressman Kean Jr.is and why he continues to play the stock market while in office,� 

Cousin alluded to arecent NOTUS reportthat found Kean has continued to make several personal stock trades during his absence from Washington, D.C.

A Kean spokesperson toldThe New Jersey Globelast year that the congressman’s investments are handled by financial advisors without his involvement. 

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A table with political flags and buttons outside a polling site in north Raleigh, N.C.

Four Democratic challengers are vying to unseat Rep.Tom Kean, R-N.J., in November’s midterm elections.(Allen G.Breed/AP Photo)

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Kean’s office has notably continued to post on social media throughout his extended absence from Washington, D.C.

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On Wednesday, Kean’s office highlighted thattwo bills he introducedearlier in this Congress advanced out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 

The post did not mention that Kean was not present for the committee markup.

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