Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) is introducing federal legislation to ban mid-decade redistricting nationwide, calling Gov. Gavin Newsom’s push to redraw California’s maps before 2030 a “brazen and corrupt” power grab.
The bill aims to protect the state’s independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. Kiley’s bill would void any redistricting done between censuses, effectively blocking what he says is Gov. Newsom’s plan to bypass California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission and push partisan maps before the 2026 midterms.
“Gavin Newsom is trying to subvert the will of voters and do lasting damage to democracy in California,” Kiley stated in a press release. “Fortunately, Congress has the ability to protect California voters using its authority under the Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution.”
Kiley shared a video from the House floor criticizing the California governor’s plan to dismantle the state’s independent redistricting commission, stating: “In 2010, California voters overwhelmingly voted to establish a Citizens Redistricting Commission. They said voters should choose their politicians—politicians shouldn’t choose their voters.”
I am introducing legislation in Congress to stop Newsom’s corrupt scheme to overthrow our Citizens Redistricting Commission and seize its powers for himself.
My bill prohibits congressional districts from being redrawn in the middle of the decade. This is already the law in… pic.twitter.com/iFpw7iRjuu
— Rep. Kevin Kiley (@RepKiley) August 4, 2025
Kiley says Newsom first tried to bypass the Citizens Redistricting Commission with maps from his office and the legislature but backed off, fearing legal defeat. Now, he claims, Newsom is pushing a deceptive special election to dismantle voter-approved safeguards—an effort Kiley warns would slash GOP representation in California.
“He wants to reduce the GOP to just three seats out of 52,” Kiley asserted. “That’s 6% of the delegation, even though Republicans routinely earn over 40% of the vote statewide.”
Even left-leaning groups are raising concerns, with Common Cause calling Newsom’s plan a “dangerous move.” Democrat Patricia Sinay, a member of the Redistricting Commission, said it undermines its core mission. Kiley’s bill aims to hold both parties to one rule: redistrict only once per decade, after the census.
“This will stop a damaging redistricting war from breaking out across the country,” said Kiley. “It’s time to draw the line—literally and constitutionally.”
He further cautioned: “This could be the single most egregious act of corruption in the history of our state. Every Californian and every American of decency—regardless of party—should speak out against it.”
