House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) wouldn’t share the details of the illness that has kept Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) out of Congress for nearly three months, but told reporters his health condition is “very common.”
“I do know what his health issue is, but he’s asked me not to disclose that, and I’m going to honor that,” Johnson said Wednesday during the House GOP leadership press conference. “I should do that. That’s my job. I’ll do the same for anyone.”
Johnson went on to say that he told Kean there is “nothing untoward or scandalous at all in having a health issue.”
“As soon as he’s ready to talk about that, you’re all going to breathe a sigh of relief and say, ‘That makes sense,’” Johnson said in defense of Kean. “What he’s dealing with is something very common and not a big thing.”
Johnson previously said in mid-May he didn’t “even know the details” of Kean’s condition as pressure mounted to disclose details of his whereabouts.
Kean has not voted in the House since early March, missing over 100 votes. The New Jersey Republican and his office have offered few details about his absence, saying only that he is recovering from an unspecified illness.
In a Tuesday statement ahead of polls closing in New Jersey’s primary elections, Kean, who was unopposed, said that he will return to in-person work after his prolonged absence on Capitol Hill in a “matter of weeks.”
“Right now I am focused on my recovery and under the advice of healthcare professionals, I will transition from virtual work to in person work within a matter of weeks,” the 57-year-old lawmaker wrote. “At that time I will be completely transparent as to the nature of my medical condition.”
Kean will face former Navy pilot Rebecca Bennett, a Democrat, in the general election in November to represent New Jersey’s 7th congressional district. The race is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country.
Johnson called Kean an “extraordinary member of Congress” who has “delivered for the people of New Jersey.”
TOM KEAN JR. SET FOR MATCHUP WITH DEMOCRAT REBECCA BENNETT IN NOVEMBER
“He ran without opposition in the primary yesterday,” Johnson said. “He deserved to, because he has been a phenomenal member of Congress, and a great member of our team here.”
“People are entitled to get sick, you know. This happens, and that’s the most we can say about it,” Johnson said. “He’s gonna give full transparency and full explanation when he gets back, and I’ve encouraged him to do that.”