House to take up Matt Gaetz's motion to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy confirmed the House will vote Tuesday afternoon on whether he will remain speaker, after Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz introduced a motion "declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant" on the House floor Monday night.

McCarthy expressed confidence to reporters Tuesday morning that he'll prevail, although if five Republicans join all of the Democrats in voting against him, McCarthy would be removed. He spoke with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries Tuesday morning, but when he was asked whether he would have to rely on the votes of Democrats to retain the speakership, he replied, "No, I personally am not."

McCarthy may first move to table Gaetz's resolution, known as a motion to vacate the chair, in an effort to kill it. However, GOP Rep. Brian Mast, of Florida, said he thinks there will be a direct vote on the motion around 2 p.m.