Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. (R-NJ), who has been absent from the House since March due to an undisclosed illness, said on Thursday he expects a “full recovery” as he prepares to run for reelection this year.“My doctors are confident that I’m on the road to a full recovery,” he told the New Jersey Globe in his first interview since the unspecified medical issue was reported. “I understand the need for public transparency, and I appreciate the support of my constituents.”Kean vowed to disclose the details of his illness soon and said he expects to return to the House in the next few weeks.
Kean has not voted in the House since March 5, just before a recess. At the end of last month, the 57-year-old lawmaker said he planned to “return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent” soon.
Speaking with the New Jersey news outlet, he said his prognosis is positive and that there are no expected long-term health effects or chronic health complications. He also said his cognitive health was not affected by the mysterious illness.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has spoken about the New Jersey Republican’s absence from the lower chamber, saying he knows no more about the specific medical reason than anyone else.
