A Republican lawmaker has been out of DC for a month - and nobody seems to know what is going on

A Republican lawmaker has gone AWOL and hasn’t been seen in Washington, D.C., since a vote one month ago, leaving fellow GOP members stumped.

New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean has missed almost 50 roll calls, with none of his Republican colleagues able to confirm where he’s been for the past month, Politico reports.

The outlet reports that the 57-year-old, who faces a tough reelection bid in November, has been absent due to “unspecified health reasons,” but Kean’s team did not elaborate.

New Jersey Republican Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew told Politico they have contacted Kean out of concern, but neither has heard back. Van Drew said he received “radio silence” after reaching out to the congressman.

GOP Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska told the outlet that he didn’t realize Kean had been gone for so long until he tried to find him on the House floor this week.

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“I was looking for him,” Bacon said. “I didn’t know it was that long.”

“I don’t even know the truth myself or even enough to disclose any information,” added Union County GOP Chair Carlos Santos. “But I have been texting with him and was told he’ll be fine and make a full recovery in the next couple weeks.”

New Jersey Democrats also expressed concern for the congressman and said they haven’t heard anything from Kean.

“It’s been a long absence,” Democratic Rep. Rob Menendez said. “I hope he’s doing all right. But I haven’t heard anything.”

The Independent has contacted Kean’s office for comment. Harrison Neely, a consultant for Kean, told Politico that the congressman would be returning soon.

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“I know the congressman and his family appreciate all of the well wishes and support,” Neely said in a statement. “Please know that he will be back on a regular full schedule very soon.”

Kean represents New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, one of the state’s most competitive in the November midterm elections.

He is running for reelection against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s plans to open an immigration detention facility in the district, prompting protests from the public.

Kean wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on April 7 about the plans and asked the department to “take a deeper look and give careful consideration to the concerns raised by local officials.”

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