McCarthy has so far tried to project confidence, posting a defiant message on social media Monday night — “Bring it on” — and casting Gaetz as a part of a vocal minority in the Republican conference.
“I’m a conservative who wants to get things done,” McCarthy said on CNBC on Tuesday morning. “I have some conservatives that don’t want to do anything.”
Hard-right obstructionists in the House GOP have made clear for weeks that they would try to oust McCarthy if he relied on Democrats to pass any funding legislation. Under the move Gaetz is taking, called a motion to vacate, a single person can force the House to consider removing the speaker. Such a motion has never succeeded before.
It’s unclear if McCarthy has the support needed within his own conference to remain speaker. On Tuesday morning, he was coy when asked if he had enough Republican votes to keep his leadership position.
“I’m an optimist,” he said.
Democrats, meanwhile, have also mostly been reserved on whether they would step in to help save McCarthy.
“There are real trust issues with the Republican leadership and with Republicans overall,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said on “Morning Joe” Tuesday.
