Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., said Tuesday that public officials have an obligation to be transparent about lengthy absences, following Rep. Tom Kean Jr.’s, R-N.J., disclosure that his recent monthslong time away from Congress was for treatment for depression.
Kean had been absent from House votes for weeks before returning on Tuesday. He revealed the reason for his absence during a speech on the House floor.
"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 stated. "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. There is no timeline for recovery. Only the work of getting better one day at a time."
Torres, who has spoken openly about his own experience with depression, expressed sympathy for Kean's situation. "As someone who has lived with depression, I have deep sympathy for anyone struggling with mental illness," Torres wrote on X. "I might not be alive today were it not for a prolonged hospitalization and proper medication. I know the value of taking a medical leave firsthand."
However, Torres also emphasized the importance of openness. "At the same time, public office carries a duty of transparency. When a public official is absent for an extended period, the public has a right to an honest explanation," he continued. "Transparency deepens the public’s empathy, whereas secrecy breeds suspicion. When in doubt, err on the side of transparency. Tell the truth, and tell it early. The public is often most forgiving of those who level with them."
Kean's absence had led to speculation, particularly given the narrow Republican majority in the House. Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., commented on Kean's announcement, stating, "While we can certainly have compassion for him, and should, being in congress is not a right. There are 700,000 other people in his district, and could have done the job. It’s absolutely unforgivable to pretend this wasn’t a dereliction of duty."