Rep. Tom Kean Jr. returned to Congress on Tuesday after an unexplained absence of approximately four months, during which he missed more than 140 votes. The lawmaker last voted on March 5 before disappearing from public view. He gave a speech on the House floor explaining his absence, stating that he was hospitalized and diagnosed with depression, which he cited as the reason for his time away. Kean noted that he initially entered the hospital for health concerns and testing before receiving the diagnosis.

During his address, Kean stated that depression is both physical and emotional, adding that it is difficult to understand its power without experiencing it. He also asserted that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness, according to CBS News. Gdelt frames the disclosure as a 'revelation' of previously unknown hospitalization. Kean left without answering reporters' questions after his speech, according to Gdelt.

A Bluesky user expressed cynicism about the explanation, labeling it a mental disorder and associating it with broader allegations of misconduct among Republicans. The user compared the Republican party to a 'Congressional mafia,' citing narcissism, sexual felonies, and criminal indictments. CBS News reported that Kean is running for a third term in a competitive district.