Missing members could narrow border vote

Four House members’ absence from votes all week may narrow down the vote count for the bill providing funds to address the surge of child migrants crossing the border.

There are currently 433 total members of the House due to two vacancies. If all members voted, the bill would need 217 votes to pass instead of the usual 218.

{mosads}But with four absences, only 429 members would be voting. In that case, the border bill would need 215 votes to pass.

Reps. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii), Alan Nunnelee (R-Miss.) and Mike Pompeo (R-Kan.) have all missed House votes through Wednesday.

Both DesJarlais and Nunnelee are ill. Hanabusa and Pompeo both have tough primary elections. 

With three Republicans missing, leadership could only afford to lose 16 of their own members to pass the bill with GOP votes alone. Few House Democrats are expected to support the measure. Even with hours to go before the vote, it is unclear if House Republicans can pass their bill.