I Need Him to Get Back': Mike Johnson Pressed on GOP Rep's Mysterious Absence

"Speaker Mike Johnson said he needs Rep. Tom Kean Jr. to get back as soon as he can as scrutiny grows over his unexplained two-month absence from the House of Representatives and his reelection prospects in a key swing district. Kean has not cast a vote since March 5 because of what his campaign has described only as a personal medical issue. The 57-year-old congressman said in an April 27 statement that he expected to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent in the near future, but remained absent when lawmakers returned to Washington this week."

"Johnson told The Hill he spoke with Kean roughly two weeks ago and said the congressman sounded great. He said he was out on a medical issue and he'll be back as soon as possible. That's the full extent of what I know about it, Johnson said. It's a personal thing, and obviously I told him that we're praying for him, and I need him to get back as soon as he can. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise added to The Hill, The word that we're getting is he's going to be back soon. I don't know exactly when that is."

"The report also noted that the issue has taken on greater significance because Republicans can afford only two defections on party-line votes in the narrowly divided House. The Democrats trying for his seat were already slamming his absence in a debate this past week. The Hill's Emily Brooks went on to highlight the case of Rep. Frederica Wilson, who has not voted since April 17, which was pointed out on Wednesday by reporter Jamie Dupree. On Thursday, Wilson said she is recovering from eye surgery and expects to return to the Capitol next week."

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. has not cast a vote since March 5 and has been absent from the House for about two months. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he needs Kean to return as soon as possible, citing growing scrutiny over the absence and reelection prospects in a competitive swing district. Kean’s campaign described the reason as a personal medical issue, and Kean said on April 27 that he expected to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent soon, but he remained absent when lawmakers returned to Washington. Johnson said he spoke with Kean about two weeks earlier and Kean sounded great. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Kean was expected to return soon. The absence has increased political significance because Republicans can afford only two defections on party-line votes in a narrowly divided House. Democrats have criticized the absence, and another example involves Rep. Frederica Wilson, who said she is recovering from eye surgery and expects to return next week.

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