GOP’s Hands-Off Vote Counting Adds Suspense on the House Floor

Republican leaders have a timely reminder for rank-and-file House members: no surprises on floor votes.

The message comes after a handful of defectors tanked a GOP-backed labor bill last week, dealing an unexpected embarrassment to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) and underscoring the daily perils of their slim majority.

“We know with a very narrow majority that every vote is going to be tight, especially the ones to move the agenda that gets this country back on track,” Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) told Bloomberg Government, noting Democrats’ unanimous opposition. “Our members need to let us ...