Mike Johnson's Majority Dealt New Blow as Congressman Kevin Kiley Exits GOP

House Speaker Mike Johnson’s already razor‑thin Republican majority narrowed further Monday after Representative Kevin Kiley of California announced he is leaving the GOP and registering as an independent.

Kiley said he has asked the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives to change his party affiliation effective immediately, a move that reduces Republicans’ formal seat count and further complicates Johnson’s ability to pass legislation on party‑line votes.

*Newsweek *has reached out to Johnson's office via email on Monday night for comment.

Kevin Kiley Says He Will Serve as an Independent

In a call with reporters, Kiley said his decision reflects growing frustration with what he described as hyper‑partisanship in Congress, which he blamed in part on aggressive redistricting battles across the country. Kiley said he has already changed his voter registration in California to “no party preference” and will now serve as an independent member of the House, making him the chamber’s sole lawmaker without a party designation.

“I think the extreme hyper-partisanship we have here is a big problem … it manifested itself in the longest shutdown in history,” Kiley told reporters.

Congressional reporter Jamie Dupree noted on X, "The last 'Independent' in the House was Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, who switched from the GOP in 2019."

Why the Switch Matters for the GOP

Kiley’s departure from the Republican Party shrinks the GOP’s formal margin at a time when Johnson can afford to lose little, if any, support on procedural votes. According to House tallies cited in official reporting, Republicans now hold 217 seats compared with Democrats’ 214, with several vacancies. While Kiley said he plans to continue caucusing with Republicans for administrative purposes, including committee assignments, he declined to guarantee support for Johnson on future rule votes.

Kiley Cites Redistricting and Partisanship

Kiley has repeatedly pointed to redistricting as a central reason for his move, saying partisan map‑drawing has intensified polarization and distorted representation. He announced last week that he will seek reelection in California’s newly drawn 6th Congressional District as an independent, arguing that removing party labels is the best way to counter what he called an “epidemic of gerrymandering.”

The California conservative also opposes the Trump administration's tariffs on Canada. He told reporters Monday that he wants to work across the aisle with Democrats on issues such as housing and health care.

Kiley said he briefly discussed his decision with Johnson over the weekend but emphasized that the choice was his alone.

What Comes Next for Johnson’s Leadership

Although Kiley’s decision may not immediately alter committee control or day‑to‑day operations, it underscores the fragile state of Johnson’s majority. With little room for defections, even a single independent vote can determine whether legislation reaches the House floor, leaving GOP leaders with fewer guarantees as they navigate an already divided chamber.

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.

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