Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has responded to Rep. Kevin Kiley's decision to leave the Republican Party and become an independent, stating that he plans to run for Congress without party preference. This decision was prompted by California's Proposition 50, which changed the state's congressional districts to give Democrats an upper hand in the midterms. Kiley also expressed frustration over the government shutdown and Congress's failure to extend health care subsidies. Jeffries stated that Kiley’s change in party affiliation does not alter his voting record. Kile responded by saying that if he voted for one piece of legislation that Jeffries disagrees with, it would define his political identity.