GOP Rep Who's Been MIA Emerges With (Some) Answers

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. has finally surfaced with an explanation after going MIA, though it's only a partial one. The New Jersey Republican, absent from House votes since early March, said in a Monday statement that he's been dealing with a "personal medical issue" and expects to resume a full schedule "in the near future," though he offered no timeline or details, per the Washington Post. Kean, 57, who's running for reelection in a swing district and faces no primary opponent, said doctors are confident his recovery will be "complete" and that he'll soon "be back to the job I love." House Speaker Mike Johnson said last week that Kean had told him he'd be "back to 100% very soon."

Even fellow Jersey Republicans said to be tight with Kean—as well as with his father, a former governor in the Garden State—had indicated they weren't completely sure what was going on, per the New York Times. "As close as I am to Tom and his dad, they've made it very clear it's a personal matter," campaign attorney Bill Palatucci said. The House has recently seen several departures, as Republicans cling to a slim majority—217-212, plus one independent. Kean's continued absence comes as the chamber heads into potentially close votes on Homeland Security funding and the renewal of a disputed surveillance authority.