Rep. Tom Kean Jr. returns to Congress and reveals depression diagnosis caused his four-month absence.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-NJ) returned to the House floor on June 30, 2026, after a nearly four-month absence, announcing in a speech that he had been hospitalized for depression. Kean had last voted on March 5 and missed over 100 votes while his office provided only vague statements about a personal medical issue. He faces Democrat Rebecca Bennett in the November midterm elections.
17
Divergence score
18 outlets covered it, splitting into 17 framing camps across 4 bias groups.
17 camps
4 bias groups
The spectrum · how 18 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
Washington Examiner
Politico
Washington Times
CNN
NPR
Mother Jones
Axios
BBC
Breitbart
PBS NewsHour
The Hill
NBC News
NY Post
New York Times
Bloomberg
Daily Wire
HuffPost
Washington Post
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
The split, in one line
Coverage now splits between mental health as personal medical disclosure versus accountability for legislative absence, with HuffPost emphasizing Kean's privacy struggle while other outlets probe voting record contradictions and transparency timing.
How each outlet covered it
Broad agreement on what happened
Outlets across the spectrum land in roughly the same place: the shared language is highlighted.
17LOW DIVERGENCE
THE RIGHT
“GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. reveals reason behind mysterious absence as he returns to Congress after nearly 4 months”NYP NY Post RIGHT
DOWN THE MIDDLE
“Kean returns to House, says depression diagnosis led to four-month absence” · Politico, Axios, BBC, PBS NewsHour, The Hill, Bloomberg
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 18 outlets put it
LEFT6
CNNCNN After mysterious four-month absence, GOP congressman arrives back on Capitol Hill 46d ago NPRNPR Rep. Tom Kean returns to Congress, says depression is why he went missing for months 45d ago MJMother Jones Tom Kean Jr. Sought Help for Depression. He Hasn't Made It Easy for Others To Do the Same. 45d ago TNew York Times Tom Kean Says Depression Led to Long Absence From Congress 45d ago HPHuffPost Tom Kean Finally Explains His Absence From Washington 45d ago WPWashington Post Congressman says depression diagnosis caused months-long absence - The Washington Post 44d ago LEFT-CENTER1
NBCNBC News Rep. Kean announces he was treated for depression during four-month absence 45d ago CENTER5
PPolitico Kean returns to House, says depression diagnosis led to four-month absence 45d ago AAxios Rep. Tom Kean discloses depression diagnosis upon return from months-long absence 45d ago PBSPBS NewsHour WATCH: Rep. Tom Kean Jr. says he was recovering from depression during months-long absence from Congress 45d ago HThe Hill Ritchie Torres says he sympathizes with New Jersep Rep. Kean's depression but urges greater transparency 45d ago BLBloomberg New Jersey Congressman Kean Says He Was Treated for Depression 45d ago RIGHT5
WEWashington Examiner Tom Kean reveals prolonged absence from Congress was because of depression 45d ago WTWashington Times New Jersey GOP Rep. Tom Kean discloses depression diagnosis after return to Congress from absence 45d ago BBreitbart Tom Kean Reveals Depression Treatment After Four-Month Absence from Congress 45d ago NYPNY Post GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. reveals reason behind mysterious absence as he returns to Congress after nearly 4 months 45d ago DWDaily Wire Congressman Gone MIA Reveals He Missed 3 Months Of Work Due To Depression 45d ago 8 tracked claims across 18 outlets
Fact ledger
All8Claimed3Corroborated5
4/18
Claimed
Kean stated that approximately 48 million Americans are being treated for depression.
Corroborated
Disputed
7 more tracked claimsSign up free to see the full ledger