Pelosi to Miss Vote on Whether to Oust McCarthy

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is missing Tuesday's vote on whether to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., as the former speaker returns to California to grieve the recent passing of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

"Sadly, Speaker Pelosi is grieving the loss of her dear friend Dianne Feinstein and will remain in San Francisco for the next few days to participate in official memorials and pay tribute to Senator Feinstein's towering legacy," Pelosi spokesperson Aaron Bennett said in a statement.

Bennett added that Pelosi is "saddened" to not be present for Tuesday's vote. Pelosi has long been critical of her successor to the speakership and said Sunday that she would follow the leadership of Minority Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., on the vote.

Pelosi's absence from the vote could be critical as members of the House consider whether to oust McCarthy after Rep. Matt Gaetz, Fla., filed a motion to vacate the speakership.