McCarthy To Hold Vote On 'Motion To Vacate' Today

Congressional reporters have reported that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has told his conference that he plans to bring Rep Matt Gaetz's 'motion to vacate' in front of the House of Representatives at around midday today, eastern time.

• McCarthy said to the conference: "We've expanded the party and only won and I'm proud of what we've done. It's an honor to go into battle with you."
• The first stage of the petition is a vote to table the motion. If a majority of House Reps support tabling the motion, Gaetz's resolution is defeated.
• If the motion proceeds to a full vote, McCarthy will require a simple majority of voting members. This vote will be unpredictable and depend on a rapidly changing vote calculus.
• If all reps vote, McCarthy can only stand to lose five votes. That is approximately the number of "hard noes" which Gaetz claims support his bid.
• McCarthy told his caucus, consistent with an interview with CNBC this morning, that he won't do a deal with Democrats to save his job. McCarthy's comments suggest that his pathway to retaining the gavel is convincing hardline GOP reps to back his leadership.