Republican returns to US House after months of absence over ‘depression’

New Jersey's Tom Kean Jr, who last voted in March, says he was diagnosed with depression after entering hospital

Tom Kean Jr, a Republican congressman who disappeared from the Capitol for nearly four months with little explanation, re-emerged on Tuesday and said that he was absent while dealing with depression.

Several months ago, due to health concerns, I entered the hospital for some testing. I did not believe that this would result in a long-term stay. I was given the diagnosis of depression," Kean said in a speech on the floor of the House Tuesday morning.