The congressman added that treatment timelines for mental illnesses are unpredictable. He referenced the tens of millions of Americans navigating similar clinical health paths.
"Those were the best estimates the doctors could provide, but as the over 48 million of my fellow Americans being treated for this illness have come to discover, there is no timeline for healing," Kean said.
While Democrats criticized Kean for executing stock trades during his absence, the lawmaker expressed optimism about resuming his legislative duties.
"I am grateful that I accepted help, because today I stand before you healthier, stronger, and excited to return to the work that I love," he said.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed the situation prior to Kean's floor speech.
He confirmed he had pushed the New Jersey representative to be more transparent about his medical leave.
"There’s no conspiracy involved in this, there’s nothing scandalous at all. He has a health condition, as he said," Johnson said.
The House Speaker acknowledged that while the situation was entirely health-related, he personally would have approached public communication differently.
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"If it were me, I would have been more specific about that, and I encouraged him to be," Johnson added.
