The Daily: "The Republican Congressman Who Says His Party Is Mishandling the Shutdown"

Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Michael Barbaro (The New York Times)
Guest: Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-California)

Overview

This episode features Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley of California, who candidly critiques his own party’s management of the ongoing government shutdown and the broader issues of partisanship and redistricting. In a rare move for a House Republican, Kiley is outspoken about his frustrations with GOP leadership, especially Speaker Johnson, and explains his “one-man campaign” to call attention to the failures of Congress during this critical moment. The conversation also delves into the mechanics and consequences of partisan redistricting, the damaging effects of excessive partisanship, and challenges to Congressional independence in the Trump era.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Kiley Is Speaking Out—and Staying in Washington

• Kiley’s Protest by Presence
  Kiley has remained in the House offices nearly every day during the shutdown, even while most members are absent.

  “I also am trying to say, yeah, we should be here. And the speaker has made the decision to recess the House indefinitely, basically, to... kind of close it, in a sense.” — Kiley (04:25)

• He frames this not just as a protest but as "practicing what I preach", emphasizing the importance of doing the job he was elected to do.

2. Perspective as a California House Republican

• Representative of a Purple District
  Kiley highlights the political complexity of his district, which narrowly leans Republican but has diverse political opinions.

  “I represent folks who have very different views and who care about very different issues. So, coming in... I did see it part of my role as providing something as a counterweight.” — Kiley (06:51)

• He stresses a willingness to work with Democrats and the Biden Administration when possible, resisting strict party alignment.

3. The Redistricting Domino Effect

• Republican-Led Mid-Decade Redistricting
  Kiley is deeply critical of GOP-led efforts to redraw congressional maps outside the usual census cycle, initiated by Trump and followed by states like Texas.

  “It just leads to this sort of race to the bottom that degrades democracy everywhere.” — Kiley (09:10)

• He sees this as "pure political opportunism" and introduces a bill banning mid-decade redistricting, which GOP leadership refuses to bring to the floor.

  “All I'm asking for is a vote on the bill. And I think that if it came to the floor it would pass.” — Kiley (13:38)

4. Personal Impact & Broader Principle

• Political Retaliation
  Democratic leaders in California, led by Gov. Newsom, threaten to retaliate with their own gerrymander, jeopardizing Kiley’s own district.

  “It'll certainly result in my district being split into six different pieces.” — Kiley (13:01)

• Kiley argues both principle and personal risk, insisting that his stance is not just self-interested but necessary for democracy.

5. Shutdown Frustration & GOP Leadership

• Shutdown Paralyzes the House
  Kiley is dismayed that Speaker Johnson recesses the House during the shutdown while the Senate remains active.

  “There's no reason for the House of Representatives to close its doors.” — Kiley (14:45)

• He characterizes the situation as "embarrassing" and unjustifiable, especially amid urgent issues like SNAP benefits expiring.

  “I do think it's embarrassing, like to have the House of Representatives just not... here and, and serious work is not being done.” — Kiley (16:24)

6. Health Care and Snapshots of Partisan Negotiation

• On Health Care Subsidies
  Kiley is open to resolving the core health care issue that’s prolonging the shutdown, supporting short-term or long-term solutions for ACA subsidies.

  “I'm very concerned about the ACA subsidy issue. So I'm one of a number of people on my side of the aisle... who believe there needs to be some sort of solution here.” — Kiley (18:17)

• He criticizes Republican leadership’s refusal to negotiate "when the leverage being held is a shutdown".

7. Accountability for the Shutdown

• Reviewing His Own Votes
  Barbaro presses Kiley about how his votes for two controversial bills (the “one big beautiful bill” with Medicaid work requirements, and a partisan rescissions bill) may have contributed to Democratic distrust and the impasse.

  “I can certainly understand... they want to use whatever tools they have available in order to be able to have more of a say in policy going forward.” — Kiley (29:29)

• Kiley acknowledges the logic of Democratic concern about trust and process, though he distinguishes between procedural issues and the necessity of compromise.

8. On Congressional Independence (or the Loss of It)

• Congress’s Diminished Role Under Trump
  Barbaro asks whether Congressional Republicans have ceded too much control to President Trump (“a rubber stamp for his agenda”).

  “Every president in recent memory has tried to exert as much influence as they can over Congress… it’s the job of the House… to maintain the integrity of Article one as an institution.” — Kiley (32:31)

• Kiley insists that it’s Congress’s responsibility to defend its relevance—not just follow the president.

  “The power of the purse lies with the House. The House has failed to act. So that's just kind of the separation of powers at work.” — Kiley (33:36)

9. Political Consequences and Looking Ahead

• On Possibly Losing His Seat
  If he is redistricted out, Kiley argues his independent approach makes him well-positioned to win even a less Republican district.

  “I'm confident that I can win reelection under the new map because... I got the second most crossover votes of any competitive district in the country.” — Kiley (37:42)

• He frames his efforts as a stand against “excessive partisanship,” calling it one of America’s most serious problems.

Memorable Quotes

• On Congressional Absence:

  “It feels like we're being deprived of the opportunity to fight for our constituents.” — Kiley (16:03)

• On Embarrassment:

  “I think you called it embarrassing. I mean, you've conveyed the idea that this is just kind of beneath the institution.” — Barbaro (16:15),
  “I do think it's embarrassing…” — Kiley (16:24)

• On Partisanship:

  “Excessive partisanship is one of the most serious problems facing the country.” — Kiley (38:50)

Notable Timestamps

• 03:56 – Kiley explains why he’s stayed at the House during the recess
• 08:36–13:18 – Kiley outlines the redistricting crisis, its national and personal impact
• 14:45–17:26 – Discussion turns to the shutdown mechanics and consequences (e.g. SNAP benefits)
• 18:17–19:43 – Kiley outlines his compromise positions, urges bipartisan negotiation
• 23:08–28:49 – Barbaro presses Kiley on his legislative votes and their consequences
• 30:14–31:42 – The accountability of Speaker versus President in mid-decade redistricting
• 33:29–34:25 – Relevance (or irrelevance) of Congress in the Trump era
• 37:42–39:37 – Personal stakes if redistricting removes Kiley and the larger message on partisanship

Tone and Style

• Candid, Direct, Analytical
  Both host and guest engage in frank, at times challenging, but civil exchanges. Kiley is measured, pragmatic, and doesn’t shy from highlighting the dysfunction in his own party. Barbaro is probing and tenacious but ultimately respectful.

Conclusion

Rep. Kevin Kiley emerges as a rare Republican voice questioning the party's decisions amid the shutdown and redistricting fight. His critique goes beyond procedural complaints to broader philosophical concerns about democracy, bipartisanship, and the very function of Congress. Despite personal political risk, he advocates for Congressional responsibility and warns of the dangers of unchecked partisanship and legislative surrender to executive power.

For listeners who missed the episode:
This interview offers a rare inside look at GOP dissent, the mechanics of Congressional dysfunction, and the personal and political stakes for lawmakers trying to act on principle in an era of hyper-partisanship and executive dominance.