House Democrats Face Unexpected Decision as Far-Right Conservatives Prepare to Oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has refused to offer any concessions to Democrats in exchange for their support in keeping his leadership post. This comes as far-right conservatives, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), are preparing to try to oust McCarthy in retaliation for his refusal to include massive spending cuts in a bill to avert a government shutdown over the weekend.

House Democrats are now faced with an unusual decision, as they could be the deciding factor in whether McCarthy keeps his job. They wouldn’t have to vote directly in favor of keeping McCarthy on — voting “present” would reduce the number of votes needed for McCarthy to keep his post.

The decision has sparked disagreements among Democratic lawmakers and aides, who spoke anonymously to avoid getting ahead of leadership. While some are in favor of helping McCarthy keep his job, others are concerned that doing so could be seen as a sign of support for his policies.

The House is expected to vote on McCarthy’s leadership as soon as Tuesday afternoon. If McCarthy is removed, it would be the first time a sitting speaker has been ousted since the Civil War. It could also create a power vacuum in the House, as McCarthy is the only Republican currently running for the position.

The vote will be a key indicator of the future of the Republican Party, as it will show whether far-right conservatives have enough support to overthrow the current leadership. It will also be a test of the power of House Democrats, as their decision could be the deciding factor in the outcome.