Unexplained absences reignite questions about age, health transparency in Congress

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:01]Two members of Congress have been missing in action. 57-year-old New Jersey Republican Tom Kean Jr. hasn't voted since March 5th because of what his office has called a personal medical issue. They also said he'd return to a full schedule and be at 100% in the near future.

[00:00:16]>> It's a personal thing and and obviously I told him that we're praying for him and we need him to get back as soon as he can.

[00:00:21]>> Can he run for re-election? Can he run for re-election? Of course he can.

[00:00:24]83-year-old Florida Democrat Frederica Wilson hasn't cast a vote since April 17th. She posted on X she had undergone eye surgery, but work has not stopped for a single day. During her absence, Wilson's X account this week reposted pictures from last October without explanation highlighting service academy day in her district. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he expected her back soon.

[00:00:48]>> The concurrent resolution is not adopted.

[00:00:51]>> Wilson's absence made sure a Thursday vote that would have limited President Trump's war powers with Iran ended in a tie. Wilson could have tipped the vote for the Democrats. The absences also highlight another problem for the American people and members of Congress.

[00:01:05]Capitol Hill is full of aging elected officials and some have serious health issues. Five members of the current Congress have died in office. An NPR PBS Marist poll from last week showed about eight out of 10 Americans agree lawmakers are too old. It showed 80% supported age caps and 83% supported term limits for candidates and members of Congress and the support extended across party lines. We had a very old president and and Biden and people were wondering whether or not he was up to the job after that disastrous debate and we have a president who's going to turn 80 this year. I think all of this is in the minds of the public. Would current members of Congress seriously consider potentially putting themselves out of a job? Unlikely. They will not do this.

[00:01:49]Members of Congress have one refrain when they ever you bring up term limits or age restrictions and that is they already have term limits. They're called elections. Reporting in Washington, I'm Matt Gelke.