Rep. Tom Keene Jr. Reveals Health Struggles and Returns to Congress
Rep. Tom Keene Jr. (RN.J.) delivered a heartfelt speech on Tuesday, disclosing for the first time the health issue that kept him from the House of Representatives and caused a hiatus in his campaign for nearly four months.
Keene shared that he was diagnosed with depression after undergoing some tests at the hospital. He described the lengthy recovery process, which required medical treatment during an extended hospital stay.
“I’m grateful that I accepted the help because today I stand before you stronger, healthier, and excited to get back to the job I love,” he expressed on the House floor.
This speech marks Keene’s return to Washington this week after being absent since early March. Earlier this month, a New Jersey Republican Party spokesperson had announced his expected return on June 30th.
During his time away, he missed 140 roll call votes, accumulating a 100% absentee rate, as noted by GovTrack. Although his office had indicated he would return soon, his schedule saw several delays. Keene explained that he hadn’t realized how long his recovery would take.
“When they told me they wanted to come back in a few weeks, I believed them,” he said. “These were the best estimates doctors could provide. But as the more than 48 million fellow Americans being treated for this disease have found, there’s no set timeline for recovery.”
Though Keene kept his illness private during his recovery, he has promised to be transparent moving forward. Interestingly, his silence seemed to extend to House Republican leadership, who, when questioned, claimed they weren’t aware of his health challenges.
His return comes at a crucial time for the Republican majority as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) aims to push through a vital defense bill this week.
Johnson noted that upon revealing Keene’s situation, there would likely be a great deal of sympathy, encouraging New Jersey lawmakers to maintain transparency during Keene’s absence. “The symptoms and illnesses he’s coping with are not rare, and I think people can relate to that,” he stated.
Keene remains optimistic about his cognitive abilities and affirmed he does not face chronic issues that could hinder his intention to pursue a third term in the House.
While he was away, his office continued to engage with the public through social media, draft legislation, and submit his statements to the Congressional Record.
Keene’s return also coincides with heightened challenges as he prepares for re-election against Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former Navy helicopter pilot who has garnered substantial support.
Bennett is expected to leverage her national security experience, mirroring the successful strategy of Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D.N.J.) when she assumed office. This suburban swing district is recognized as one of the most competitive Congressional races, with Democrats likely to put significant effort into defeating Keene.
The incumbent enjoys backing from President Donald Trump and faced no challengers in the May primary. However, the nonpartisan Cook Political Report describes Keene’s re-election campaign as a “failure.”
