Missing lawmakers spark alarm as GOP leaders panic about 70-day absence shrouded in secrecy

By VICTORIA CHURCHILL, US POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 16:15, 14 May 2026 | Updated: 16:16, 14 May 2026 Two members of Congress, one Republican and one Democrat, have gone missing in action. Tom Kean Jr, a New Jersey Republican, has not cast a vote since March 5 and has been cryptic about his absence, even with GOP leadership. Florida Democrat Frederica Wilson has not cast a vote in nearly a month, and her office was caught using a 2025 photograph in a post about an event she was expected to attend this past Tuesday. Wilson, 83, has not voted since April 17th, though her team has kept up social media posts that make it look like she is still out and interacting with constituents. But it's Kean who is causing the loudest alarm bells through Capitol Hill corridors.   Senior GOP staffers and lawmakers who spoke with Punchbowl News said they had received little to no information about Kean's condition or whereabouts. When asked by NBC News when Kean planned to return, Johnson said 'I don't know.' A spokesperson for Kean told Punchbowl that there was 'absolutely nothing to worry about' concerning his boss, adding that 'Congressman Kean is going to be back to a full schedule very soon. He will be 100% healthy and is excited to get back to work.'  Kean, in a post made to his congressional campaign's social media page in late April, noted in a statement posted on April 27th that he was dealing with an unspecified 'personal medical issue' that he expects to recover from. New Jersey Republican Tom Kean Jr in his Congressional portrait  Florida Democrat Frederica Wilson speaks at an event on Capitol Hill on May 23, 2018 'My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon,' Kean said in the statement. 'I expect to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent. Kean has not disclosed a specific illness as the reason for his absence. 'I take my responsibilities seriously and have a strong record of showing up and delivering, which makes this absence all the more difficult,' he continued. He then thanked his Congressional team, 'who have kept constituent services and legislative work moving forward without interruption,' as well as his political team, 'for ensuring the campaign continues to run strong.' 'I also want to thank my friends and colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their patience and understanding during this time,' the congressman said. 'I appreciate your support and look forward to being back in the near future.' His campaign account has continued to post over the last several weeks, though none appear to be photographs taken in real time.   Kean currently represents New Jersey's 7th congressional district, a key target for Democrats in this year's midterm elections.  The Cook Political Report rates Kean's seat as a 'toss-up' along with 13 others held by Republicans. President Donald Trump won the district by one point in 2024. Kean's campaign is still continuing to send fundraising solicitation emails, emphasizing how 'razor-thin the margin' is for GOP control in the House of Representatives. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.