House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's leadership is hanging by a thread as hard-right Republicans threaten to oust him if he cuts a deal with Democrats to fund the government. With just nine days left to avert a federal shutdown, McCarthy ended the week in a precarious position, teetering on the edge of a government shutdown.

The House wrapped up its work on Thursday with no clear path forward on advancing a stopgap government spending bill, leaving a grim outlook for the country. House Republican whip Tom Emmer acknowledged that spending negotiations were ongoing but did not provide any specific plans for a vote on Friday.

McCarthy suffered another humiliating defeat on Thursday when his conference failed to approve a procedural motion to take up a defense spending bill. As members clashed over government spending levels, a proposal to consider House Republicans' defense spending bill was rejected in a vote of 216 to 212. Five hard-right members joined Democrats in opposing the motion, marking the second time this week that the bill failed to advance.

The House Freedom Caucus, known for its staunch conservative beliefs, was responsible for blocking the bill earlier in the week. Their resistance to compromise on government spending levels has further complicated McCarthy's position and increased the risk of a federal shutdown.

The failure to pass the defense spending bill and the lack of progress in negotiations for a stopgap government spending bill indicate the deep divisions within the Republican Party. McCarthy's ability to navigate these divisions and find a solution to fund the government without alienating the hard-right members of his conference remains uncertain.

As the deadline looms, the pressure on McCarthy to avert a shutdown and maintain his position as House Speaker intensifies. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether McCarthy can secure a deal that satisfies both Democrats and hard-right Republicans or if his speakership will face further turmoil and potential ousting.