WASHINGTON - The House will vote as early as next week on a conservative effort to impeach IRS chief John Koskinen.

After House Republicans met privately today for the first time since Congress returned from summer recess, leaders said GOP lawmakers will meet again next week to discuss their next steps on the IRS commissioner.

Conservatives have pushed for his removal since last year. They've said he has impeded their investigation of how the IRS treated tea party groups several years ago -- before he led the agency.

But there's concern among other Republicans that -- since the effort is sure to fail in the Senate if it gets that far -- it risks making the GOP look too partisan just before voters go to the polls.

House Speaker Paul Ryan says there are lawmakers "on both sides of this."

The effort has prompted little enthusiasm among GOP leaders and is solidly opposed by Democrats.