New Jersey Congressman Tom Kean Jr. is expected to return to his job in Washington at the end of the month. The update comes after a lengthy stretch away from Capitol Hill that has drawn attention back home in New Jersey.
The Republican has been absent from his post for about three and a half months. That is an unusually long stretch for a sitting member of the House of Representatives to be away from Washington.
According to his office, the absence is the result of a medical issue. So far, however, there has been no word on exactly what that issue is, and the office has not provided further details.
The time away has had a concrete effect on his work in Congress. Over the course of the absence, Kean has missed more than 100 votes in the House.
The return also lands in the middle of an election year. Kean is running for a third term in November, which keeps his attendance and his health in the spotlight as the campaign takes shape.
He is set to face a Democratic challenger in that race. With his expected return at the end of the month, Kean would be back at work in Washington as the contest for his seat moves ahead.