California Rep. Kevin Kiley has emerged as a leading critic of House Speaker Mike Johnson amid the ongoing government shutdown, challenging the speaker’s strategy and demanding a resolution to the impasse. Kiley, who has long been one of Johnson’s most vocal Republican critics, has taken a firm stance against the speaker’s decision to keep the House out of session during the shutdown, referring to it as an “embarrassing” move that risks prolonging the stalemate. He argues that the no-show strategy is not only causing a delay in critical legislation but also preventing necessary conversations between the two parties.
As the two-week standoff continues, Kiley has reiterated his position that the shutdown is not just a political issue but one that has serious real-world consequences. He has criticized the GOP leadership for failing to prioritize the country’s needs and for allowing the situation to escalate without clear solutions. Kiley has also called on the party to consider a bipartisan approach to addressing the expiring health insurance subsidies, a move that Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have ruled out as part of any shutdown resolution. He believes that the subsidies are essential for millions of Americans and that the GOP should not be so rigid in its approach to negotiations.
However, Kiley’s criticism of Johnson extends beyond the shutdown itself. He has also spoken out against the GOP’s controversial redistricting efforts, which have placed him in a precarious political position. Should a Democratic-backed ballot measure pass in California, Kiley and several of his colleagues could be forced out of their seats, threatening the future of his congressional career. Kiley has urged the GOP to pass legislation that would prevent the redrawing of maps outside of the usual decennial Census process, arguing that the current approach undermines the integrity of the electoral system and puts members like himself in jeopardy.
Despite his public criticism, Kiley has not received direct pressure from GOP leaders to remain quiet, a fact he has made clear in recent interviews. He asserts that his stance is not motivated by personal gain but by a desire to represent his constituents and push for a resolution to the shutdown. He also criticized Johnson for not taking a stronger stand on key issues such as the redistricting dispute and the need for a bipartisan approach to health insurance subsidies. Kiley’s continued push for compromise has positioned him as a key figure within the GOP, despite the risks he faces in challenging the leadership.
Meanwhile, the political landscape remains tense as both parties continue to navigate the fallout from the shutdown. While some Democrats have supported the GOP-led stopgap bill, none has been as vocal as Kiley in criticizing their leadership. The situation underscores the deepening divisions within both parties and highlights the challenges faced by Republican leadership as they attempt to maintain unity amid a crisis that could threaten their long-term political strategy.