Home

Congressman Kevin Kiley’s tele town hall meeting left many constituents dissatisfied with his answers about the Trump/Musk administration and the absence of two-way conversations.

“The format Kiley chose allowed no follow-up questions by callers thus eliminating the possibility of constituents actually interacting with their representative, which has become so troublesome to Republican lawmakers across the country,” said Ruth Cox, president of the Democratic Club of Lincoln, CA.

“Kiley simply had his staff cut off each call once the Congressman had given his prepared answer,” said Cox. “Even the number of attendees was limited, an unnecessary restriction given modern technology and one that shut out numerous constituents who had hoped to talk with their representative.”

More often than not, Kiley did not offer solutions to critical issues like the administration’s intention to privatize Social Security, dismantle the Department of Education, and DOGE’s efforts to slash jobs and benefits that directly impact voters in his district.

Instead, after weeks of requests for an in-person meeting, Kiley pushed a narrative that justified the administration’s illegal, immoral, and destructive actions. He made countless misstatements about the facts regarding the tax cuts for billionaires and corporations, deep cuts in veterans’ benefits, and gutting of the federal workforce, especially in areas like the Forest Service, Park Service, and Social Security, that will negatively impact the economy and quality of life in his district. In post-call forums, callers expressed frustration that they had no opportunity to challenge the congressman’s factually incorrect statements. A few examples of the misstatements cited by constituents include:

• MISSTATEMENT: Continuing the 2017 tax cuts is necessary for working families, and “tax cuts will benefit working families the most.” FACT: The wealthiest Americans will disproportionately benefit from the extension of the Trump tax cuts. What is needed is a new tax bill that raises taxes on the rich and lowers taxes on middle and lower-income families.
• MISSTATEMENT: “Tax cuts created jobs and wealth in this country.” FACT: After the 2017 Trump tax cuts, corporations bought back stock and did not invest in jobs and economic growth. Democratic policies incentivized corporations to bring jobs back to the U.S. and increase domestic manufacturing.
• MISSTATEMENT: Kiley stated several times that the Fiscal Responsibility Act increased funding for veteran services. FACT: The current Continuing Resolution, that Kiley voted for, reduces funding for veterans. Thousands of Veterans Affairs jobs that have been slashed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will gut medical and other services critical to the health of our veterans.
• MISSTATEMENT: Kiley stated Medicaid had more than $50 billion in improper payments in 2024. FACT: The Department of Health and Human Services reported that improper payments amounted to $31.1 billion, HOWEVER, more than 74% of claims were classified as having insufficient documentation. Had that information been available, the claims were likely to have been legitimate.
• MISSTATEMENT: Kiley stated that Consumer Confidence was rising as a result of Trump’s MAGA policies. FACT: On February 25th, the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index declined by 7 points; the Present Situation Index fell 3.4 points; the Expectations Index dropped more than 9 points. Consumer confidence dropped another 1.3 points in the first week of March. It was reported that the Expectation Index was below the threshold of 80 that usually signals a recession ahead.
• MISSTATEMENT: Kiley claimed that over the weekend a poll showed the majority of Americans believe we are on the right track. FACT: Recent polling shows that Americans think we are on the wrong track by 33.1%; wrong track 59.9% - right track 26.8%.
• STONEWALLING: Kiley consistently refused to state what he would do to protect Congress’ constitutional authority over the federal budget, how he would protect Social Security and Medicare, or how he would prevent cuts to programs like Meals on Wheels and Medicaid subsidies to nursing homes, which ensure that our most vulnerable seniors are cared for. He had no answer to what he would do about the negative impacts of the administration’s tariff policies, which are tanking the stock market and putting us on the edge of a recession. Kiley voted for a Continuing Resolution that preserved the administration’s misuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which justifies the tariffs that are wreaking havoc with our economy.

“Kiley spent most of his time congratulating himself on what he has done in the past, much of which was exaggerated, and despite statements of his independence, showed no willingness to tackle the administration’s policies on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the disgraceful treatment of our NATO allies and our neighbors and largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico,” Cox said. “Kiley’s claim that the current administration’s damaging tariff policies are positively impacting immigration is untrue. Dramatic reductions in illegal border crossings and the movement of fentanyl began under the Democrats, long before the current administration took office.”

Nick Bennett, chair of the Placer County Democratic Party, noted that "listening awkwardly over the phone to misleading talking points is not enough. Representative Kiley states that his highest priority is constituent services, yet he chooses to sidestep concerns about the chaos being created by Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Placer County residents and California’s 3rd Congressional District need more than Kiley’s constant blaming of California while ignoring the harm being inflicted by the current administration."

As frustrated as those who listened in on the call were, countless other constituents could not even get into the virtual meeting because of limited access. Joyce Kaufman, chair of the Mono County Democratic Party said, “I’m shocked that a United States Congressman who has consistently refused to meet in person with his constituents will not even offer a virtual town hall meeting large enough to meet their needs.”

Congressman Kiley is scheduled to be in the district on March 20th and has been invited to two in-person town hall meetings, one in Nevada City and the other in South Lake Tahoe. (See links for more details: Nevada City Event, South Lake Tahoe Event). Kiley will be skiing in South Lake Tahoe but has ignored the offer to participate in the local town hall. Instead, his schedule shows he will be meeting with the local Republican Party.

Kathy Dotson, spokesperson for the Nevada County chapter of Indivisible, said: “We have been working for several weeks to offer a time and place for the congressman to participate in our town hall, but only this morning did Kiley’s office inform us that he will not participate, even though he will be in the district.” Sue Chandler, spokesperson for South Lake Tahoe-based organization Concerned Citizens of CD3 said, “There is no excuse for our congressman to not attend our gathering when he is in the same city at the same time. Unfortunately, Kiley has chosen partisanship over representation.”

The Nevada City and South Lake Tahoe town hall meetings will take place without Congressman Kiley and will allow citizens to ask questions and learn about how cuts in federal spending will impact their lives, the economy, and our public lands. Elected officials committed to the best interests of CD-3 residents will be present at both events.

Organizations representing concerned citizens of CD-3 include:

• Indivisible Roseville
• Indivisible Auburn
• Indivisible Nevada County
• Placer Action Network
• Placer Advocates for Students and Families
• CD-3 Regional Organizing Council
• Placer County Democratic Central Committee
• Nevada County Democratic Central Committee
• Mono County Democratic Central Committee
• Placer Women Democrats
• Democratic Women of Nevada County
• Constituents of District 3
• Democratic Clubs of Auburn, Lincoln, Nevada County, Roseville, South Lake Tahoe, Sun City Roseville