WATCH LIVE: Long-missing Rep. Tom Kean Jr. expected to address mysterious absence on House floor

By — Mike Catalini, Associated Press Mike Catalini, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-long-missing-rep-tom-kean-jr-expected-to-address-mysterious-absence-on-house-floor Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: Long-missing Rep. Tom Kean Jr. expected to address mysterious absence on House floor Politics Jun 30, 2026 9:43 AM EDT TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Tom Kean Jr., the New Jersey Republican who's been away from Congress for almost four months, is expected to re-emerge in public after months of speculation about the unspecified medical condition he says has kept him away from Washington. The House convenes at 10 a.m. EDT. Watch live in our video player above. Kean, 57, a second-term lawmaker and scion of a New Jersey political family, represents a battleground district that includes President Donald Trump's Bedminster golf club. He's missed more than 100 votes in Congress this year and hasn't been seen publicly in Washington or his district despite winning the Republican nomination to serve another term. WATCH: Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr.'s absence raises broader questions about Congress Kean's spokesman promised the congressman would return to work Tuesday and be transparent about what has kept him away. Last week, Kean answered the door of his home when a New York Times reporter visited, but declined to be interviewed, saying only that he would speak to them later. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. The mystery over Kean's absence carries potential political implications, given the competitive district he represents and the Republican Party's narrow control of the House. His office has said he is still running for reelection and is set to face Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot, in New Jersey's most high-profile contest in November. Democrats have targeted the district as a prime pick-up opportunity, given that the seat has changed hands in the last two midterm elections. Kean won in 2022 by defeating Democrat Tom Malinowski, who had defeated Republican Leonard Lance in 2018. Kean's last vote was months ago Kean last voted in the House on March 5, but his absence wasn't explained. In April, his social media account said he had been dealing with a personal medical issue and his doctors expected him to recover. Kean's absence has also complicated matters for House Republican leaders, who are struggling every day to pass bills with their razor-thin majority, 218-212. Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders repeatedly told reporters they were in touch with Kean, but said he would have to address the circumstances himself. READ MORE: New Jersey Democrats pick Navy veteran Rebecca Bennett to face absent GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Trump has endorsed Kean's reelection, without mentioning his absence. Kean comes from a long line