A GOP member of Congress slammed his own party in an interview with The New York Times' "The Daily" podcast on Friday, responding to claims that "party leaders are willing to sacrifice you."
Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) was elected in 2022 in California's 3rd District and is openly frustrated with his party's handling of the government shutdown and how the House isn’t in session — but that's not all he's upset over.
He’s also against redistricting, which is now endangering his own seat in the House, and called it “incredibly destabilizing" especially when it happens mid-decade.
“I said from the moment this was on my radar that it shouldn’t be happening anywhere. I’m against it in Texas, I’m against it in California. It’s pure political opportunism,” Kiley said.
As a result of Texas redistricting, a demand President Donald Trump made in an effort to keep Republican control over the House, the move could result in Kiley getting drawn out of his own district in California as Gov. Gavin Newsom retaliates to Trump’s order to redistrict in Texas by responding in California.
Kiley still thinks he can win reelection, although his district might look different.
‘It sounds like your party leaders are willing to sacrifice you — in theory — for the party’s ongoing control of Congress and refusing to entertain the idea to introduce a bill that would stop that," host Michael Barbaro said.
“I don’t know what their motivations are, but their inaction is frustrating, certainly,” Kiley said.
Kiley is one of five Republicans in California "who are all but certain to lose their seats in the next midterm elections if voters grant final approval to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s newly drawn congressional districts," according to The Times.
He thinks the Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) needs to bring the House back and has had private conversations with him about it.
"I don't know what his real reason is... I haven't gotten any explanation that makes sense to me," Kiley said.