Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Hey, NJ! This week, we’re talking about the mysterious absence of Rep. Tom Kean Jr. from Congress.
Kean, who represents New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, has not voted on the House floor since March 5. Kean's chief of staff explained that he was "addressing a personal health matter." But after Kean was absent from a reception in the Capitol for Gov. Mikie Sherrill last week, members of New Jersey's delegation said their calls and texts to Kean went unanswered. Kean on Monday thanked his supporters but offered no additional details in a social media post on his official campaign accounts. Kean’s statement said he would return to Congress shortly.
Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin are joined by Washington correspondent Benjamin J. Hulac to discuss what we know, the implications for Congress and the debate around transparency and accountability in public office.
We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org.
00:00: Introduction
00:50: 'Radio silence' from Kean
02:04: Why this is unusual
03:48: How to handle personal health of a public official
05:17: Mike Johnson's math
08:19: Every vote matters in a razor-thin House margin
10:41: Importance of attendance
11:38: Concerns from NJ delegation
14:26: A shift in social media presence
17:08: Who is running Kean's office?
18:41: Kay Granger fresh on Congress' mind
21:04: Questions/demands from constituents
22:31: We genuinely do not know
23:55: Closing
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for daily videos: bit.ly/1ERsYqw
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News: njspotlightnews.org/member-benefits
Sign up for our daily newsletter: njspotlightnews.org/newsletters
Follow NJ Spotlight News:
Facebook: facebook.com/njspotlightnews
Instagram: instagram.com/njspotlightnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/njspotlightnews.org
TikTok: tiktok.com/@njspotlightnews?_t=8VUNKN33vpu&_r=1
-----------------
While NJ PBS does not and cannot review every submission and is not responsible for the content of your comments, NJ Spotlight News reserves the right to delete, remove, move, or edit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems abusive, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate or unacceptable for any reason.
-----------------
NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi is a nightly news program that airs weekdays on NJ PBS that covers local New Jersey news. Be sure to share with us your story ideas, feedback and tips about news in your neighborhood: bit.ly/32zwJDT
NJ Spotlight News airs every weeknight at 6:30, 7:30 and 11 p.m. ET on NJ PBS.
Hey, NJ! This week, we’re talking about the mysterious absence of Rep. Tom Kean Jr. from Congress.
Kean, who represents New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, has not voted on the House floor since March 5. Kean's chief of staff explained that he was "addressing a personal health matter." But after Kean was absent from a reception in the Capitol for Gov. Mikie Sherrill last week, members of New Jersey's delegation said their calls and texts to Kean went unanswered. Kean on Monday thanked his supporters but offered no additional details in a social media post on his official campaign accounts. Kean’s statement said he would return to Congress shortly.
Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin are joined by Washington correspondent Benjamin J. Hulac to discuss what we know, the implications for Congress and the debate around transparency and accountability in public office.
We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org.
00:00: Introduction
00:50: 'Radio silence' from Kean
02:04: Why this is unusual
03:48: How to handle personal health of a public official
05:17: Mike Johnson's math
08:19: Every vote matters in a razor-thin House margin
10:41: Importance of attendance
11:38: Concerns from NJ delegation
14:26: A shift in social media presence
17:08: Who is running Kean's office?
18:41: Kay Granger fresh on Congress' mind
21:04: Questions/demands from constituents
22:31: We genuinely do not know
23:55: Closing
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for daily videos: bit.ly/1ERsYqw
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News: njspotlightnews.org/member-benefits
Sign up for our daily newsletter: njspotlightnews.org/newsletters
Follow NJ Spotlight News:
Facebook: facebook.com/njspotlightnews
Instagram: instagram.com/njspotlightnews
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/njspotlightnews.org
TikTok: tiktok.com/@njspotlightnews?_t=8VUNKN33vpu&_r=1
-----------------
While NJ PBS does not and cannot review every submission and is not responsible for the content of your comments, NJ Spotlight News reserves the right to delete, remove, move, or edit comments that it, in its sole discretion, deems abusive, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate or unacceptable for any reason.
-----------------
NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi is a nightly news program that airs weekdays on NJ PBS that covers local New Jersey news. Be sure to share with us your story ideas, feedback and tips about news in your neighborhood: bit.ly/32zwJDT
NJ Spotlight News airs every weeknight at 6:30, 7:30 and 11 p.m. ET on NJ PBS.
