Kevin McCarthy says it's 'likely' he'll be vacated as House Speaker

Speaking to reporters outside the House chamber on Tuesday, beleaguered House Speaker Kevin McCarthy admitted that it's likely he'll be vacated as House Speaker. A vote on whether or not he'll retain the speakership is set for 1:30 pm on Tuesday. The motion to vacate the Speaker hasn't been used in over 113 years.

"Are you expecting Democrats to back you up then?" He was asked.

"Personally, I'm not," McCarthy said.

"Do you need their help to remain in leadership?"

"No, if five Republicans go with Democrats, I'm out," he said.

"Sounds likely," the reporter said.

"Probably so," McCarthy said.

The last time the motion was used was in 1910, when House Speaker Joseph Cannon asked his supporters to bring the motion as a show of strength.

McCarthy spoke to the complaints that spurred Florida's Matt Gaetz to bring the motion to vacate the chair. "At the end of the day, keeping government open and paying our troops was the right decision. I stand by that decision. And at the end of the day if I have to lose my job over it so be it. But I'm going to fight for the American public and I'll continue to fight."

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie both spoke out against Gaetz's motion, saying that essentially he has no plan for who should lead. Moreover, no other congressman would have the votes. 

Gaetz said that his main concern is funding for Ukraine. While no funds were included in the 45-day stop gap measure passed on Friday to keep the government open, Gaetz alleges that a secret deal has been made, which was alluded to by President Joe Biden, in which McCarthy said that Ukraine funding would be authorized.