Watch with The Washington Post as the leadership of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) hangs in the balance. The House is preparing to vote on whether to table a motion that would oust McCarthy as speaker. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) introduced a resolution Monday evening to remove McCarthy from the speakership, giving the House two legislative days to decide whether to back McCarthy — or remove him.

The high-stakes vote comes after weeks of internal clashes among Republicans nearly caused a government shutdown over the weekend. In a last-ditch move to keep the government open, McCarthy relied on Democratic votes to pass a short-term spending bill. Hard-line Republicans called the decision a betrayal, despite their own unwillingness to coalesce around an option to avert a shutdown. For McCarthy to save his position, he will need to either quell the rebellion within his party — or secure the support of Democrats, who have signaled reluctance to help him.

If McCarthy were removed, it would throw the House back to square one: having to choose a new speaker all over again, less than than two months before the next deadline to fund the government and avert a shutdown.

Libby Casey anchors live coverage from the Post newsroom, and Rhonda Colvin reports from Capitol Hill. Read more: https://wapo.st/45ie4tx. Subscribe to The Washington Post on YouTube: https://wapo.st/2QOdcqK

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