According to CNN, sources close to the discussion have revealed that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA.) is considering a concession to attain his Speakership by agreeing to lower the threshold to oust a sitting Speaker.
Currently, the rules require more than 50 percent of the GOP House majority to call for a motion to vacate the Speakership. However, reports have surfaced that McCarthy wants to lower the threshold so that only one Congress member can call for the vote.
According to reporting by CNN, lowering the threshold to five lawmakers has also come up in discussions.
However, GOP moderates are unlikely to agree to the idea, with sources revealing that some have privately suggested that the threshold be changed to 50.
McCarthy’s detractors, however, aren’t pleased with a five-person limit.
According to CNN, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) believed the threshold should be lowered to one, saying, “[McCarthy’s] gotta get down to 1.”
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) shared Gaetz’s sentiment, explaining that the threshold should be less than five and even “two or less.”
Amid debate about the threshold, McCarthy has scheduled a call with several GOP Caucuses on Friday (December 30) as the Speaker’s vote will be held on Tuesday (January 3).
But all this talk may be in vain, considering McCarthy has indicated that he was unwilling to budge on lowering the threshold on the motion to vacate the seat.
However, lowering the threshold could be the only chance McCarthy has at securing the Speaker’s gavel.
