Republican Tom Kean Jr. reveals depression diagnosis after his four-month absence from Congress
Kean disclosed his depression diagnosis and said he was healthier and ready to return to House work.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYCredibility rates Union-Bulletin, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.
The article is attributed to Associated Press reporters and carries AP’s copyright notice, indicating that AP produced the reporting. AP is a major wire service with established editorial standards and correction practices.
- Source type — Associated Press is a major wire service with a strong record of original reporting.
- Editorial standards — AP is an established newsroom with professional editorial standards and corrections practices.
- Author attribution — The article names AP reporters and identifies an additional AP writer.
- Transparency — The page identifies the reporting organization and includes an AP copyright notice.
The report provides Kean’s account, dates and details about his absence, and responses from other public officials. It gives relevant political context, though the article offers limited independent detail about his treatment or the circumstances of the absence.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The report includes Kean’s explanation, the Speaker’s response, and comments raising the public’s interest in transparency. It provides useful context but does not include extensive independent reporting about the absence or its effects.
- Source diversity — Includes statements from Kean, Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Ritchie Torres, plus background on another senator's experience.
- Counterarguments presented — Presents both Kean’s explanation and the view that extended absences call for public transparency.
- Omitted context — Provides limited detail about Kean’s medical circumstances and the precise effect of his absence on House business.
The article reports Kean’s disclosure and absence in a straightforward manner, with attributed comments from officials and political context. Its language does not show a discernible partisan lean.
- Language tone — Mostly factual and nonpartisan wording.
- Framing — Centers on the disclosure and congressional absence without an evident partisan argument.
- Source selection — Includes Kean’s remarks and comments from officials across the political context.
Republished with credit
Republished from Associated Press, with credit to the original publisher.
457 stories · 96–97 · updated Oct 5, 2026
This is Associated Press's own score, and this article is credited to Associated Press. The host score in the Source Check is Union-Bulletin's.
Rep. Tom Kean Jr. disclosed that he was treated for depression during his four-month absence from the House and said he was returning to work. His absence had complicated House Republicans’ efforts to pass bills with a narrow majority.
Kean said he was diagnosed with depression after entering the hospital for health concerns and that doctors recommended he remain there. He said he had believed an earlier estimate that he would return within weeks, but that there was no set timeline for healing. He did not provide further details and left the Capitol without answering reporters’ questions.
Kean last voted in the House on March 5, and the article reports that he missed more than 100 votes this year. Speaker Mike Johnson said Kean should decide whether his remarks provided sufficient transparency and said he was confident Kean would be reelected. Kean’s office said he was still running against Democratic nominee Rebecca Bennett.
Community verdict
VOTING CLOSED
No good or bad look here
This story reports what happened without casting Kean in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Kean’s record.
People in this story
SWIPE →New Jersey representative disclosing his depression diagnosis and return after an extended absence from the House
House speaker commenting on Kean’s return and transparency
President who endorsed Kean’s reelection
Republican senator cited in comparison about lawmakers’ extended absences
Pennsylvania senator cited for his experience discussing depression
Former Republican representative defeated by Tom Malinowski
Former Democratic representative who previously defeated Leonard Lance and later lost to Kean
New York representative commenting on transparency and Kean’s absence
Democratic nominee running against Kean for the House seat
Part of a bigger story
47 OUTLETSKean disclosed that he had been treated for depression during a months-long absence from Congress and returned after nearly four months away. Left-leaning outlets emphasize scrutiny of the absence, including criticism from Boebert or Kean’s challenger, while Newsone frames it through race and gender. Center outlets focus on the health disclosure, return and missed votes, sometimes adding electoral or House-majority consequences. Right-leaning outlets mostly recount the disclosure and return, while the Washington Examiner argues the absence exposed an accountability gap.
- ARTICLES
- 49
- OUTLETS
- 47
- AVG CRED
- 78
Discussion · 0
Loading comments…