Rep. Tom Kean Jr., R-N.J., is responding to questions about missed congressional votes after a monthslong hospitalization for depression, saying he is "stronger than ever" as he seeks re-election in New Jersey's competitive 7th District.

Speaking on "The Fox News Rundown" podcast, Kean discussed his hospital stay earlier this year, explaining that his absence from Congress was due to a medical emergency.

"Nobody can schedule a medical emergency, and we were able to discuss and tell people while I was in the hospital that we [had] a medical situation in the family with me," he told Fox News’ Mike Emanuel.

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN WILL END MONTHSLONG ABSENCE FROM DC AFTER MISSING 135 ROLL CALL VOTES

"I also spoke on the House floor when I returned that I'd been in the hospital for depression because I want to get rid of the stigma associated with any mental health condition."

In June, Kean returned to the House and disclosed that he had been diagnosed with depression after spending months in the hospital receiving treatment.

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Kean had been absent from Congress since early March, missing more than 100 votes before publicly disclosing his diagnosis. 

The extended absence drew calls for transparency from lawmakers in both parties and became a focal point for his Democratic challenger, former Navy helicopter pilot Rebecca Bennett, in the competitive district.

Emanuel asked Kean whether his absence had affected his standing with voters.

SWING-SEAT REPUBLICAN SIDELINED BY 'SERIOUS' ILLNESS MISSES 88 VOTES AS MAJORITY HANGS BY THREAD

"As I said, I'm feeling stronger than ever. And I tell them the same issue that I just talked to you about. The fact that I had to treat my own mental health, I had to take that seriously," Kean said.

"I was in the hospital for those months that I was away. I spoke on the House floor that I had depression, and now we need to get rid of any stigma associated with mental health treatment."

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Kean also pointed to his legislative record, highlighting his work on bipartisan legislation in New Jersey that sought to require health insurers to provide equal coverage for mental and physical health treatment. He said he continues to pursue similar efforts in Washington.

Former West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin criticized what he sees as his former party's embrace of the progressive left, warning that Democratic socialists are gaining ground while longtime Democrats largely remain silent.

"That's why I'm an independent," Manchin said on the "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" podcast.

"[Members of the Democratic Party] went from liberal to progressives to DSA. It just keeps going on that trend," he added.

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Manchin left the Democratic Party after frequently breaking with fellow Democrats while serving in Congress. The longtime moderate registered as an independent in May 2024.

In a statement announcing his departure, Manchin criticized extremism on both the left and right, saying he had "seen both the Democrat and Republican parties leave West Virginia and our country behind for partisan extremism while jeopardizing our democracy."

Manchin also argued that neither party was willing to "find common ground" or "put country before party."

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During his conversation with Hannity, Manchin expressed disbelief that many Democrats appear unwilling to challenge the Democratic Socialists of America's (DSA) growing influence within the party.

"That's beyond me," he said, suggesting that some longtime Democrats may be afraid to challenge the party's more progressive wing.

"The bottom line is ... let's look at the elections coming up. If the House changes ... if it flips over to Democrat control, a lot of the flipping is going to happen in kind of a purple area, not a hard blue area. [A] hard blue area is where they're going to maybe flip to DSA."

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Manchin's comments come as progressive and Democratic socialist candidates seek to gain seats in Congress.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is among the Democratic socialists who have won high-profile elections, underscoring the movement's electoral gains.

Fox News' Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.