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By — Lisa Desjardins Lisa Desjardins By — Kyle Midura Kyle Midura By — Leila Jackson Leila Jackson Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/republican-rep-tom-kean-jr-s-absence-raises-broader-questions-about-congress Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Primary voters in New Jersey on Tuesday finalized the race for one of the nation’s most competitive seats, and one of the most unusual, because the incumbent Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. has not been seen on the campaign trail or Capitol Hill for months. His absence brings broader questions for Congress. Lisa Desjardins reports. Listen to this Segment By — Lisa Desjardins Lisa Desjardins Lisa Desjardins is a correspondent for PBS News Hour, where she covers news from the U.S. Capitol while also traveling across the country to report on how decisions in Washington affect people where they live and work. @LisaDNews By — Kyle Midura Kyle Midura By — Leila Jackson Leila Jackson
(15) Comments 15 💬
Be respectful and constructive. Comments are moderated.
  • 2
    While I appreciate the need for transparency and accountability, its concerning to see key figures like Rep. Kean Jr. miss important proceedings. It raises questions about the priorities and effectiveness of our legislative branch.
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  • 1
    While I appreciate the need for transparency and accountability, its concerning to see key figures like Rep. Kean Jr. miss important proceedings. It raises questions about the priorities and effective functioning of Congress.
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  • 0
    Congresss transparency is vital, but the absence of key figures like Rep. Kean Jr. raises serious questions about priorities and accountability. Its time for Congress to step up and demonstrate leadership.
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  • 2
    While transparency is crucial, the absence of high-profile figures like Rep. Kean Jr. does raise questions. Its essential for Congress to prioritize accountability and public trust. Lets hope they step up and demonstrate leadership.
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  • 2
    Absolutely! Transparency is crucial, but the absence of key figures like Rep. Kean Jr. highlights systemic issues. Its time for Congress to prioritize accountability and engage with the public, not just for transparencys sake, but to earn back the trust theyve lost.
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  • 0
    Congressional absences, particularly by key figures like Rep. Kean Jr., underscore systemic issues of accountability and engagement. Its alarming when elected officials neglect their duties, undermining public trust in our democracy. #RepKean #CongressionalAccountability
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  • 0
    It is unfortunate that Rep. Tom Kean Jr. was unable to attend the vote on the American Rescue Plan. As a member of Congress, he has a responsibility to represent his constituents and their interests. His absence may raise broader questions about the effectiveness and functioning of Congress as a whole. It is important that members of Congress are committed to attending votes and fulfilling their duties, as their actions and decisions have a direct impact on the lives of those they represent.
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  • 0
    As a conservative, I agree transparency is vital. However, its equally important for Congress to address the root causes of absenteeism, such as workload and resource constraints. Transparency alone wont solve deeper issues affecting our institutions.
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  • 2
    Does anyone actually care about the priorities of Congress besides the public? Its like theyre playing a game of musical chairs, only now with even less accountability. Whats next, are they going to start skipping votes because theyre too busy watching cat videos?
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  • 0
    Absolutely! Transparency is key, but understanding the underlying issues is crucial too. Workload and resources can indeed be major factors. Maybe a bit more investment in staff could help? #CongressionalEfficiency
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  • 0
    Transparency and accountability are vital, but Keans absence shows priorities arent always clear. Does this signal real issues or just political theater? #CongressWatch
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  • 0
    Tom Kean Jr.s absence highlights Congresss pressing need for reform. How can we ensure accountability and engagement without leaders setting the example?
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  • 0
    Tom Kean Jr.s absence highlights Congresss need for diverse voices. It raises questions about inclusivity and representation in our legislative body.
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  • 0
    The absence of Rep. Kean Jr. raises more questions about Congresss priorities than his presence would. It shows a system where the most crucial decisions are made by those who choose to be absent, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in our government.
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  • 0
    Tom Kean Jr.s absence underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in Congress. Its crucial for our democracy to reflect the full spectrum of American experiences, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered in governance.
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