# of House Members?

[BlueDemKev]

Everyone is saying that the "magic number" Boehner needs in the House is 216. This means there are either 430 or 431 members currently in the House. However, according to Wikipedia, as of July 19 there are 240 R's and 193 D's in the House of Reps. That's a total of 433, making the magic number 217 (not 216).

Assuming that Wikipedia's numbers are correct....

...according to TheHill.com, there are 25 R's who are definitely voting 'no' on Boehner's bill. Assuming all 193 D's vote against the bill (both Pelosi and Hoyer have said they will and Blue Dog chairman Heath Shuler said yesterday that no blue dogs would be voting 'yes'), this means there are 218 definitely voting 'no'. If that's the case, Boehner's bill is dead unless he can win over a couple of those 25 tea-baggers and/or blue dog Democrats.

Could someone please tell me EXACTLY how many Republicans and how many Democrats currently are in the House?? Thanks.

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. The number is 217, but one Dem is sick and cannot make the votes

That's why they've been throwing around the 216 number - majority with a quorum, but not full attendance.

(the full # is actually 218, but I think one seat is empty, maybe Weiner's)

[BlueDemKev]

2. So there are 432 available members total?

240 R's and 192 D's?

Because if there are, 216 only creates a tie (216-216)?

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. I believe it's 242 R 191D

But with 1 or 2 D's unable to vote.

[trof]

5. Giffords?

Is she able to vote?

[Major Hogwash]

3. I think there are 3 empty seats, but I'm not sure. We know Boehnor's got an empty head.

But other than that, I think the 217 number is probably correct.

[pinboy3niner]

6. There are 435 House seats

The difference may be due to vacancies or illness (i.e., Giffords).