As effort to oust McCarthy looms, Jeffries plans to meet with centrist Dem group

Hakeem Jeffries is set to join the centrist New Democrats’ weekly meeting Tuesday, according to a Democratic aide, as party leaders weigh their options on a potential vote to oust Kevin McCarthy.

Although the minority leader often meets with different wings of the caucus, Tuesday’s drop-by comes as some members of the roughly 100-lawmaker bloc have floated voting to save the speaker by abstaining or voting “present” on a potential so-called motion to vacate.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is threatening to file the motion this week, and about a dozen conservatives are expected to join him. Given the House’s slim margin, McCarthy’s only hope of keeping his gavel is to partially rely on Democratic votes.