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
15 outlets covered it, splitting into 15 framing camps across 4 bias groups.
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4 bias groups
The spectrum · how 15 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
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Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
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The split, in one line
Most outlets frame Kean's disclosure as a straightforward explanation for his absence, while Mother Jones highlights his voting record against paid sick leave and NPR notes the contrast with Sen. Fetterman's transparency in a similar situation.
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
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“Kean returns to House, says depression diagnosis led to four-month absence” · Politico, Axios, BBC, PBS NewsHour, The Hill, Bloomberg
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LEFT4
CNNCNN After mysterious four-month absence, GOP congressman arrives back on Capitol Hill 1d ago NPRNPR Rep. Tom Kean returns to Congress, says depression is why he went missing for months 3h ago MJMother Jones Tom Kean Jr. Sought Help for Depression. He Hasn't Made It Easy for Others To Do the Same. 35m ago TNew York Times Tom Kean Says Depression Led to Long Absence From Congress 4h ago LEFT-CENTER1
NBCNBC News Rep. Kean announces he was treated for depression during four-month absence 4h ago CENTER5
PPolitico Kean returns to House, says depression diagnosis led to four-month absence 11h ago AAxios Rep. Tom Kean discloses depression diagnosis upon return from months-long absence 4h ago PBSPBS NewsHour WATCH: Rep. Tom Kean Jr. says he was recovering from depression during months-long absence from Congress 3h ago HThe Hill Ritchie Torres says he sympathizes with New Jersep Rep. Kean's depression but urges greater transparency 43m ago BLBloomberg New Jersey Congressman Kean Says He Was Treated for Depression 4h ago RIGHT4
WEWashington Examiner Tom Kean reveals prolonged absence from Congress was because of depression 4h ago WTWashington Times New Jersey GOP Rep. Tom Kean discloses depression diagnosis after return to Congress from absence 4h ago BBreitbart Tom Kean Reveals Depression Treatment After Four-Month Absence from Congress 3h ago NYPNY Post GOP Rep. Tom Kean Jr. reveals reason behind mysterious absence as he returns to Congress after nearly 4 months 4h ago Tracked claims from across the political spectrum
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