House hardliners prepare to vet candidates for speaker

WASHINGTON (AP) - House GOP hardliners are preparing to interview the three declared candidates for speaker as Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy tries to hang onto his advantage for the job.

McCarthy appears to have the support of most House Republicans. But whether he's able to get the majority vote he needs on the House floor may be up to the 30-plus conservative lawmakers who forced Speaker John Boehner (BAY'nuhr) to resign last month.

Many of these lawmakers sound reluctant to support McCarthy, who is Boehner's deputy and has his support to become speaker.

They say they want to hear from him about how he'll deal with issues like the debt ceiling and funding for Planned Parenthood.

The other speaker candidates are Jason Chaffetz (CHAY'-fits) of Utah and Daniel Webster of Florida.