Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the US House, confronts a potential uprising from the far-right faction

Kevin McCarthy, the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, implemented rule changes to allow a single lawmaker to initiate an effort to remove him from office. This was part of his strategy to gain the support of the hard-right faction of the Republican Party during several rounds of voting in January. However, his attempts may not have been enough to satisfy some members. Congressman Matt Gaetz from Florida has promised to trigger McCarthy's removal this week in response to the Speaker's collaboration with Democrats to pass a last-minute funding bill that prevented a government shutdown. The funding measure excluded additional funding for Ukraine, a stance that Gaetz and other hard-liners argue is due to a lack of affordability for defending against Russia. On Monday, Gaetz alleged that McCarthy had made a secret agreement with President Joe Biden and Democrats to bring new funding for Ukraine to a separate vote in the future. The potential removal of McCarthy could further disrupt the already unruly House. Despite being considered a moderate, McCarthy's most conservative members have pushed for more aggressive tactics and positions. He still appears to support increased US funding for Ukraine, while many within his party have moved away from that commitment. If McCarthy is ousted, it remains uncertain who would replace him, how the replacement would govern, and whether funding for Ukraine would be affected. McCarthy has faced a difficult nine months in office, with conservative lawmakers doubting his commitment to spending cuts and their policy priorities. Given Republicans' slim majority in the House, these members have had significant influence. Gaetz and five others abstained from voting in favor of McCarthy during the final vote for the speakership in January. More tension arose after Democrats voted in favor of the funding bill over the weekend. Gaetz questioned why the Speaker and President Biden suggested new funding for Ukraine, demanding answers from McCarthy or facing a motion to vacate his position. Removing a Speaker requires the support of at least five Republicans, and early signs indicate Gaetz might have enough support. The role of Democrats in the vote is uncertain, with many stating they do not trust McCarthy and would not help him unless concessions are made. Even if the motion to remove McCarthy fails, Gaetz has suggested he will not back down and will continue to challenge him.