If the motion to vacate comes to the House floor for a vote, it would only need a simple majority to pass.
Republicans currently control the House with 221 seats to 212 Democrats, meaning if McCarthy wants to keep his speaker's gavel he cannot afford to lose more than four votes.
Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, a hardline conservative from Florida and perpetual thorn in McCarthy's side, has repeatedly threatened to file a motion to vacate.
In a Sept. 14 closed-door meeting of House Republicans, McCarthy dared Gaetz to bring a motion to the floor.
Republican then-Representative Mark Meadows in 2015 filed a motion to vacate against Republican Speaker John Boehner.
Persons:
Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, what's, McCarthy, McCarthy's, Nancy Pelosi, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Dan Bishop, Eli Crane, Joseph Cannon, Newt Gingrich, Mark Meadows, John Boehner, Boehner, Moira Warburton, Scott Malone, Rosalba O'Brien
Organizations:
Republican U.S . House, Democrat, Republicans, Democratic, WHO, Republican, House Republicans, House Archives, Thomson
Locations:
Washington , U.S, WASHINGTON, Florida