OnPolitics: Kevin McCarthy is fighting for his political life against Republican rebellion

Hi OnPolitics readers! Did you think Congress would take a break after managing to avert a government shutdown over the weekend? Think again.

Republicans brawl: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is in the fight for his political life as the California Republican stares down a motion to oust him for the speakership, USA TODAY’s Ken Tran reports.

The rebellion, led by conservative hardliner Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has roiled the House in chaos. Gaetz’s push to oust McCarthy – known as a motion to vacate – has the support of a handful of hard-right lawmakers who have expressed anger at McCarthy for working with Democrats to avert a government shutdown.

And Democrats have no interest in saving McCarthy from his fellow Republicans in votes on the effort expected this afternoon.

“House Democrats will continue to put people over politics. We are ready to find bipartisan common ground,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Our extreme colleagues have shown no willingness to do the same. They must find a way to end the House Republican Civil War,” he added.

Live updates: Democrats won't save Kevin McCarthy as Matt Gaetz moves to oust him as house speaker

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kevin McCarthy fights for his political life against GOP rebellion