Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) took aim at fellow Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. on Monday, branding his four-month absence from the House floor as “embarrassing” after the New Jersey lawmaker finally returned to Capitol Hill. Speaking to TMZ, Boebert didn’t mince words, suggesting Kean’s extended leave—during which he missed over 100 votes—was unacceptable for a sitting member of Congress.
“I think it’s embarrassing,” Boebert said. While she acknowledged the importance of self-care, she questioned the length of the absence. “Who gets to take four months off of work because they’re sad?” she asked. “Whatever the reasons may be, it’s embarrassing. I don’t care what party you’re a part of, it’s not OK.”
Kean, who returned to the House floor for the first time since early March, cited a diagnosis of severe depression as the reason for his disappearance. In a speech Tuesday, he explained that doctors had recommended hospitalization, a decision he said he was “grateful” he followed. “When people hear the word ‘depression,’ many think it simply means feeling sad,” Kean said. “But depression is so much more than that. It is physical. It is emotional.”
Boebert, however, went further, accusing Kean of subjecting his constituents to “taxation without representation.” She argued that elected officials have a duty to show up, regardless of personal struggles. “We were elected to be here to work, and it’s unacceptable,” she added. Her criticism comes as Kean faces a tough reelection battle against Democrat Rebecca Bennett in a district rated a “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report.
Other lawmakers have shown more sympathy. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who has spoken openly about his own depression, expressed “deep sympathy” for Kean but also stressed the need for transparency. “Public office carries a duty of transparency,” Torres wrote on X. “When a public official is absent for an extended period, the public has a right to an honest explanation.” Torres added, “Transparency deepens the public’s empathy, whereas secrecy breeds suspicion. When in doubt, err on the side of transparency.”
Kean’s office had previously offered vague explanations for his absence, fueling speculation. His return has sparked a broader conversation about mental health in politics. According to a Gallup survey, 18.3% of Americans—about 47.8 million—report being treated or having been treated for depression, a nearly 6-point increase since 2019. The Mayo Clinic notes that symptoms include feelings of emptiness, sleep disturbances, and unexplained physical pain.
Boebert’s remarks echo earlier criticism she leveled at Kean when his absence first became public. In a previous statement, she demanded, “Where is he?” Her latest comments suggest she remains unmoved by his explanation, even as some colleagues call for compassion. The incident highlights the tension between accountability and understanding in a polarized political environment.
As Kean resumes his duties, the focus shifts to his district, where Democrats see an opening. The race remains tight, and Boebert’s refusal to endorse him—despite her preference for a Republican majority—underscores the internal party divisions. For now, the episode serves as a reminder of the high stakes and scrutiny faced by lawmakers, especially those in vulnerable seats.
