House Democratic leaders say they will vote to oust Speaker McCarthy

McCarthy likely needs Dems to save his job

House Democratic leaders will not save Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., if Republicans move to remove his gavel, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said on Tuesday.

"Given their unwillingness to break from MAGA extremism in an authentic and comprehensive manner, House Democratic leadership will vote yes on the pending Republican Motion to Vacate the Chair," Jeffries said in a letter to colleagues after a lengthy caucus meeting behind closed doors.

McCarthy likely has to rely on Democrats to save his job with at least five Republicans expected to vote in favor of ousting him. House Democratic caucus members might still vote to keep McCarthy in his post, even if Democratic leaders won't save him.

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks on the debt ceiling at the U.S. Capitol on May 31, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., left, and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images | Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Five GOP lawmakers — Reps. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., Bob Good, R-Va., Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Eli Crane, R-Ariz. — have said they are voting against keeping McCarthy as speaker. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., has strongly suggested he would do so as well. 

This story is breaking and will be updated…

Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Fox News Digital focused on Congress as well as the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.

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