Thomas H. Kean Jr.’s Documented Israel/Palestine Record in NJ-07

This is the November 3, 2026 general election, not a primary. Thomas H. Kean Jr. is listed for U.S. House, New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District with the ballot designation Republican (REP). [1]

This guide uses Kean’s documented statements, votes, and official releases. It does not infer a foreign-policy view from party, religion, donors, or silence. The record shows direct support for Israel, opposition to Hamas, approval of one reported ceasefire-and-hostage agreement, and a vote on a security-and-aid measure. It also leaves material questions unanswered. [7] [11] [12] [16]

Why a House race matters

A representative can introduce and vote on federal legislation and take part in committee work. A House bill still needs Senate approval and presidential action to become law. One member cannot set U.S. foreign policy alone. [22]

Those powers matter for security assistance, emergency funding, arms-related legislation, sanctions, oversight, and resolutions. Kean is in his second House term and serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its Middle East and Northern Africa Subcommittee. [3] His votes and sponsorships give voters concrete evidence about Israel-related measures, but not a complete account of U.S. policy.

The central documented record: support for Israel

On October 7, 2026, a campaign-linked @KeanForCongress post said: “I am proud to stand with Israel and the Jewish people, and against the terrorist networks that seek their destruction.” The campaign website links to that account. [5] [7]

The statement addresses Israel and Jewish people. It is not automatically a view of every Israeli-government policy, Judaism, Palestinian identity, or a ceasefire. The evidence for documented support for Israel is Kean’s direct statement that he stands with Israel. [7]

In October 2023, Kean was an original cosponsor of H.Res. 771 and voted Yea. The resolution stood with Israel after the Hamas-led attack, reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, supported U.S. security commitments and certain assistance, and condemned Hamas. [8] [9] [10]

In April 2024, Kean voted Yea on H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024. It included emergency appropriations to replace defense articles provided to Israel, finance Israeli defense systems, and provide humanitarian assistance. It passed the House but was later laid on the table, not enacted. [11] [12]

Kean and Rep. Jared Moskowitz led H.Res. 1143, condemning Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel. Kean’s office said it reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and supported a response through means Israel deemed necessary. Kean called Israel “our greatest ally in the Middle East.” [13]

His office said he co-sponsored H.R. 6126 in November 2023, describing $14.3 billion in emergency appropriations for military assistance to Israel and the safe return of affected Americans. Kean said, “The United States must deliver support to Israel.” [14]

On October 7, 2025, Kean said the United States would “always stand with Israel” and its right to protect its people. He also called for Hamas to accept a peace deal and release hostages. [15]

Hamas, a ceasefire deal, and Palestinian civilians

Kean’s criticism of Hamas is direct. H.Res. 771 condemned Hamas, and his October 2025 statement called for Hamas to accept a peace deal and release hostages. [8] [15] This is not a statement about all Palestinians, who are a distinct people and political subject.

On January 16, 2025, Kean called a reported Israel–Hamas ceasefire deal “a positive step forward.” He highlighted the anticipated release of dozens of hostages, including Americans, and said all hostages should be returned. He again supported Israel’s right to protect its people. [16]

This documents support for that reported ceasefire-and-hostage agreement. It does not, by itself, establish support for a general or unconditional ceasefire, Palestinian political rights, or a particular Israeli-government policy. [16]

In an October 9, 2025 statement welcoming an Israel–Hamas peace agreement, Kean wrote that “the suffering inflicted by Hamas has been catastrophic for Israelis and Palestinians alike.” He said the agreement should produce a more secure and peaceful future in Gaza, and attributed the suffering to Hamas, including its use of Palestinian civilians as shields. [17]

That is a documented acknowledgement of Palestinian civilian suffering and a hope for Gaza’s future. It is not, on its own, a rights platform or a criticism of Israeli government policy. [17]

Humanitarian aid and arms policy: what the vote shows

H.R. 8034 included humanitarian assistance alongside Israel-focused security funding, and Kean voted for it. [11] [12] The vote supports the package as a whole. It does not show a separate, detailed public position on how humanitarian aid should reach Palestinian civilians.

The same measure provided to replace defense articles provided to Israel and to finance Israeli defense systems. [11] Kean’s Yea vote is relevant to arms and security assistance. The reviewed record does not show him advocating that U.S. assistance be conditioned, reduced, or ended, or offering a detailed framework for arms transfers beyond these measures and statements. [11] [12] [14]

Antisemitism, Jewish people, and Judaism are separate subjects

Kean’s October 2025 statement called for standing against antisemitism and with the Jewish community. His October 2026 campaign post said he stood with Jewish people. [7] [15] These are direct statements about antisemitism and solidarity with Jewish people.

They do not establish a view about Judaism as a religion, Zionism, every action of the Israeli government, Palestinian identity, or ceasefire terms. Keeping those topics separate makes the record clearer. [7] [15]

What the public record does not show

Within the reviewed source set, no direct Kean statement was located that criticizes a specific Israeli-government policy, endorses Palestinian statehood, or lays out Palestinian political or civil rights. The review also did not locate a call for a general or unconditional ceasefire beyond his welcome for the reported January 2025 ceasefire-and-hostage deal. [16] [18] [19] [20]

Nor did the reviewed sources locate a position advocating that U.S. security assistance to Israel be conditioned, reduced, or ended. [18] [19] [20] These are gaps in the reviewed public record, not evidence that Kean has never held or expressed a view elsewhere. Silence in this source set is not a position.

At a September 2026 debate, Kean defended U.S. military action against Iran on the ground that Iran should not obtain a nuclear weapon. That is a related regional-security view. It does not itself answer questions about Palestinian rights, Israeli-government policy, or ceasefire terms. [24]

Bottom line for NJ-07 voters

The available record is strongest on support for Israel: Kean has said he stands with Israel, supported Israel-related resolutions and supplemental funding, and described U.S. support as necessary. [7] [8] [10] [11] [12] [14] He has also condemned Hamas, welcomed one reported ceasefire-and-hostage deal, acknowledged suffering among Israelis and Palestinians, and supported a House package that included security funding and humanitarian assistance. [8] [11] [12] [15] [16] [17]

The record does not document a direct criticism of a named Israeli-government policy, a detailed Palestinian-rights agenda, a general ceasefire position, or a proposal to condition U.S. arms or security assistance. [16] [18] [19] [20] Support for Israel, opposition to Hamas, concern about Palestinian civilians, a ceasefire position, aid policy, and opposition to antisemitism are not interchangeable claims.

Record update: other policy areas and voting history

Updated October 12, 2026. The sections below separate recorded votes, sponsored or cosponsored bills, campaign proposals, public statements, and gaps in the public record. They are included to help readers examine the evidence themselves; they do not recommend a candidate or a conclusion.

What Else Is in the Public Record

The companion guide covers Thomas H. Kean Jr.’s Israel/Palestine record. This addition covers housing, health care, immigration, utility reliability, voting rules, and congressional ethics. Kean is an incumbent, so the record includes statements and House votes. A vote supports a particular measure; a proposal is not a law; and a statement does not prove every claim made in it.

Affordability: housing, taxes, and small business

Kean has made tax-based housing relief a visible part of his recent record. In January 2026, he announced the Make American Housing Affordable Act, a proposal for a primary-home-purchase tax credit of up to $5,000 for qualifying individual filers and up to $10,000 for qualifying joint filers. He described the proposal as a way to lower the entry barrier for buyers facing high prices, down payments, and limited inventory. [B1]

In March, Kean and Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman announced the bipartisan Tax Relief for Renters Act. It would allow eligible renters to deduct up to $4,000 a year in primary-residence rent, subject to stated income limits. [B2] These are proposals, not enacted benefits. They show his preference for federal income-tax relief for renters and buyers.

On July 3, 2025, Kean voted Aye on final House approval of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, now Public Law 119-21. His office highlighted its $40,000 state-and-local-tax deduction cap and research-and-development provisions. [B3] [B4] This was one vote on a large reconciliation law, not separate votes on each provision.

Health care, mental health, and reproductive policy

On insurance affordability, Kean was an original cosponsor of H.R. 5145, the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act. The bill would have extended through 2026 temporary expansions of Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. Congress.gov shows it was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, rather than enacted. [B5] For households buying coverage through the ACA marketplace and for small businesses concerned about premiums, that is a specific effort to retain a subsidy structure for one more year.

Kean also sponsored H.R. 9551, the Mental Health Parity Enforcement and Funding Act. His office says it would strengthen Labor Department enforcement against insurers and plan sponsors that violate federal mental-health-parity law. It remained referred to committee. [B6] [B7] In July, he also proposed reducing certain Medicare Part B and D IRMAA surcharges for seniors in specified income bands. [B8] Neither proposal had become law in the sources reviewed.

On reproductive policy, Kean said the Supreme Court’s June 2024 mifepristone ruling “appropriately leaves decisions of reproductive health to elected state legislatures.” [B9] This does not describe a full federal policy on abortion access, contraception, or pregnancy care. No clear candidate-specific public position located in the sources reviewed as of October 12, 2026.

Immigration, public safety, and local costs

Kean’s House issue page calls the immigration system broken and favors permanent border security, enforcement of the rule of law, and law-enforcement resources. The same page says Congress should also pursue “commonsense approaches” for children brought to the country illegally through no fault of their own. [B10]

His voting record is more specific. Kean voted Yea on the House’s May 11, 2023 passage of H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023. The House bill would have made broad changes to asylum, employment verification, border barriers, and enforcement. It passed the House but did not become law. [B11] [B12] That vote shows support for this House package; it is not a separate answer to every question about immigration, due process, civil rights, or criminal justice.

A local 2026 proposal, the Local Taxpayer Protection Act, would create DHS grants for municipalities hosting federal processing or detention facilities, covering specified revenue, utility, and infrastructure costs. Kean later asked DHS to review the proposed Roxbury facility and engage local officials. [B13] That matters where a federal facility can affect municipal budgets and services. His letter sought review, not a federal decision on the facility. On standalone civil-rights or criminal-justice reform, No clear candidate-specific public position located in the sources reviewed as of October 12, 2026.

Energy, environment, and infrastructure

Kean’s stated energy position is an “all-the-above” approach: more domestic production, lower costs, and reliable, diverse supplies. His House page names wind, solar, hydro, and conventional sources. [B14] In 2025, he sponsored H.R. 3771, the Protecting Coasts and Cities from Severe Weather Act. The bill would improve observation and forecasting for coastal flooding and storm surge; Congress.gov lists it as referred to committee. [B15]

After July 2026 outages, Kean asked PSE&G and JCP&L about restoration, preparation, and future mitigation. He said New Jerseyans need reliable power at affordable prices. [B16] This connects energy policy with power, water, medical equipment, and small-business continuity during heat and storms. On a specific emissions target or timetable, No clear candidate-specific public position located in the sources reviewed as of October 12, 2026.

Voting rules and congressional ethics

Kean voted Yea on H.R. 22, the SAVE Act, on April 10, 2025. The House-passed measure would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and require specified state list-maintenance steps. It was received in the Senate and had not become law by this review date. [B17] [B18] In a July 2026 statement, Kean argued for action on election integrity and cited purported New Jersey voter-roll findings. That is his statement; this guide does not independently verify the factual assertions in it. [B19]

On ethics, Kean sponsored H.R. 4036, the No Shorting America Act, to bar Members of Congress, spouses, and dependents from short-selling certain investments. It was referred to House Administration. [B20] This is not a full ban on stock ownership or trading. On campaign-finance rules, No clear candidate-specific public position located in the sources reviewed as of October 12, 2026.

Voting Record and Israel-Related Public Actions

Official House records through October 12, 2026 show that Thomas H. Kean Jr. voted Yea or Aye on each of the eight specified measures below. The House Clerk lists him as “Kean (NJ).” These are votes on measures or final versions before the House, rather than separate votes on every subject within them.

On October 25, 2023, Kean voted Yea on H.Res. 771, which the House agreed to, 412–10. The resolution said the House stood with Israel as it defended itself in the war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, addressed U.S. security commitments and certain assistance, and urged enforcement of sanctions against Iran. Its official status is agreed to in House. [V1] [V2]

Kean then voted Yea for H.R. 6126 on November 2, 2023, and for H.R. 8034 on April 20, 2024. Both were Israel security supplemental appropriations measures, but they were different bills. H.R. 6126 funded specified Defense and State activities responding to the attacks in Israel, including Israeli defense systems and Foreign Military Financing; it passed the House but did not become law. H.R. 8034 included security-related funding, regional operations, humanitarian assistance, and a restriction on payments to UNRWA. It passed the House and was later laid on the table; H.R. 8034 itself was not enacted. [V3] [V4] [V5] [V6]

On May 16, 2024, Kean voted Yea on H.R. 8369, the Israel Security Assistance Support Act. The House-passed bill would have limited the use of federal funds to withhold or cancel specified defense deliveries to Israel and required reporting. It passed the House and did not become law. [V7] [V8]

His December 11, 2024 Yea vote was on the final FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 5009, a broad defense-policy and authorization measure. Congress.gov’s summary identifies, among many provisions, U.S.–Israel defense-innovation and Defense Department cooperation related to Israeli efforts against Hamas. The measure became Public Law 118-159. [V9] [V10]

Kean voted Aye on the House FY2026 NDAA, H.R. 3838, on September 10, 2025. That House bill addressed wide-ranging defense policy, including some matters involving Israel; it passed the House and had not become law by the cutoff. On December 10, he voted Yea when the House passed S. 1071, the later FY2026 NDAA. That broader authorization became Public Law 119-60. [V11] [V12] [V13] [V14]

On July 15, 2026, Kean voted Yea on H.R. 8595, the FY2027 national-security and State Department appropriations bill. Congress.gov describes a broad measure covering State, international security assistance, foreign assistance, and related programs. It passed the House and had not become law by October 12. [V15] [V16]

A recorded vote establishes support for the measure as a whole at that vote. It does not establish support for every provision, explain a motive, supply a moral or legal conclusion, or provide a voting recommendation.

[V1]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023528 "House Roll Call 528 — H.Res. 771" [V2]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/771 "Congress.gov — H.Res. 771" [V3]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023577 "House Roll Call 577 — H.R. 6126" [V4]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6126 "Congress.gov — H.R. 6126" [V5]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024152 "House Roll Call 152 — H.R. 8034" [V6]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8034 "Congress.gov — H.R. 8034" [V7]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024217 "House Roll Call 217 — H.R. 8369" [V8]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8369 "Congress.gov — H.R. 8369" [V9]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024500 "House Roll Call 500 — H.R. 5009" [V10]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/5009 "Congress.gov — H.R. 5009" [V11]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025262 "House Roll Call 262 — H.R. 3838" [V12]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3838 "Congress.gov — H.R. 3838" [V13]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025320 "House Roll Call 320 — S. 1071" [V14]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1071 "Congress.gov — S. 1071" [V15]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2026247 "House Roll Call 247 — H.R. 8595" [V16]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8595 "Congress.gov — H.R. 8595"

Sources and references

[1] Sussex County Official Candidate List — Nov. 3, 2026 General Election (https://www.sussex.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/4636/2026-Nov-3-GE---Official-Candidate-List---Sussex-WEB)

[3] About — Congressman Thomas Kean Jr. (https://kean.house.gov/about)

[5] Tom Kean for Congress (https://tomkean.com/)

[7] Tom Kean campaign post on X, October 7, 2026 (https://x.com/KeanForCongress/status/2107886002165452988)

[8] H.Res. 771 — Congress.gov (https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/771)

[9] H.Res. 771 cosponsors — Congress.gov (https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/771/cosponsors)

[10] House Roll Call 513, 118th Congress, first session (https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023513)

[11] H.R. 8034 — Congress.gov (https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8034)

[12] House Roll Call 152, 118th Congress, second session (https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024152)

[13] House Adopts Resolution Condemning Iran’s Drone and Missile Attack on Israel — Kean House office (https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-adopts-resolution-condemning-irans-drone-and-missile-attack-israel)

[14] Kean Co-sponsored H.R. 6126, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act Passes House (https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-co-sponsored-hr-6126-israel-security-supplemental-appropriations-act)

[15] Kean Statement on Second Anniversary of Hamas’ Attack on Israel (https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-statement-second-anniversary-hamas-attack-israel)

[16] Kean Statement on Reported Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal (https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-statement-reported-israel-hamas-ceasefire-deal)

[17] Kean Statement on President Trump’s Historic Peace Deal Between Israel and Hamas (https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-statement-president-trumps-historic-peace-deal-between-israel-and-hamas)

[18] Kean House-office search results for Palestinian (https://kean.house.gov/search?search_api_fulltext=Palestinian)

[19] Kean House-office search results for Gaza (https://kean.house.gov/search?search_api_fulltext=Gaza)

[20] Kean House-office search results for ceasefire (https://kean.house.gov/search?search_api_fulltext=ceasefire)

[22] The Legislative Process — U.S. House of Representatives (https://www.house.gov/the-house-explained/the-legislative-process)

[24] New Jersey Republican Tom Kean Jr. and Democrat Rebecca Bennett clash in debate — PBS NewsHour (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/new-jersey-republican-tom-kean-jr-and-democrat-rebecca-bennett-clash-in-debate)

[B1]: https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-introduces-legislation-establish-housing-affordability-tax-credit "Kean Introduces Legislation to Establish Housing Affordability Tax Credit — January 28, 2026" [B2]: https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-landsman-introduce-bipartisan-bill-deliver-financial-relief-renters "Kean, Landsman Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Deliver Financial Relief to Renters — March 3, 2026" [B3]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025190 "House Roll Call 190 — One Big Beautiful Bill Act — July 3, 2025" [B4]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1 "H.R. 1, 119th Congress — Public Law 119-21" [B5]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5145 "H.R. 5145, Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act" [B6]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9551 "H.R. 9551, Mental Health Parity Enforcement and Funding Act" [B7]: https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-introduces-landmark-bill-put-mental-health-care-equal-footing-physical "Kean Introduces Landmark Bill to Put Mental Health Care on Equal Footing with Physical Health Care — July 1, 2026" [B8]: https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-introduces-legislation-reduce-healthcare-costs-seniors "Kean Introduces Legislation to Reduce Healthcare Costs for Seniors — July 15, 2026" [B9]: https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/kean-says-supreme-court-made-right-call-in-abortion-pill-decision/ "Kean Says Supreme Court Made Right Call in Abortion Pill Decision — New Jersey Globe, June 13, 2024" [B10]: https://kean.house.gov/issues/immigration "Immigration — Congressman Thomas Kean Jr." [B11]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023209 "House Roll Call 209 — Secure the Border Act — May 11, 2023" [B12]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/2 "H.R. 2, Secure the Border Act of 2023" [B13]: https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-urges-new-dhs-secretary-mullin-take-deeper-look-proposed-roxbury-facility "Kean Urges New DHS Secretary Mullin to Take Deeper Look at Proposed Roxbury Facility — April 7, 2026" [B14]: https://kean.house.gov/issues/energy-and-environment "Energy and Environment — Congressman Thomas Kean Jr." [B15]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3771 "H.R. 3771, Protecting Coasts and Cities from Severe Weather Act" [B16]: https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-demands-answers-regarding-prolonged-power-outages "Kean Demands Answers Regarding Prolonged Power Outages — July 7, 2026" [B17]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025102 "House Roll Call 102 — SAVE Act — April 10, 2025" [B18]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/22 "H.R. 22, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act" [B19]: https://kean.house.gov/media/press-releases/kean-statement-new-jersey-election-integrity "Kean Statement on New Jersey Election Integrity — July 22, 2026" [B20]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4036 "H.R. 4036, No Shorting America Act" [B21]: https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024152 "House Roll Call 152 — Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act — April 20, 2024" [B22]: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8034 "H.R. 8034, Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024"