Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.) told a New Jersey newspaper Thursday that he anticipates returning to Congress "in the next couple of weeks," addressing speculation about his extended absence from Capitol Hill.

The congressman has been absent from Congress for several months, prompting questions from both colleagues in Washington and constituents in his New Jersey district about his whereabouts and status.

"I anticipate that in the next couple of weeks, I'll return to voting," Kean told the newspaper, providing the first public timeline for his potential return to legislative duties.

Kean's absence has created uncertainty among voters in his district, who have been divided in their response to the congressman's extended time away from his official duties. The nature of his absence has not been publicly disclosed.

The congressman's statement Thursday represents his first public comment addressing the timeline for his return to Congress after the monthslong period away from Washington.