President Obama said the House of Representatives could pass a bill to re-open the government, but Speaker Boehner claims the votes are not there. Well, there is one surefire way to determine whether or not a bill could pass: Do the math.

Step 1: Factoring
Of the 435 seats in the house, 232 are held by Republicans and 200 by Democrats. Three seats are vacant.

Step 2: Compute
432÷2 = 216
217 votes is a majority. So for all accounts and purposes, our lucky number is 217.

Step 3: Find the votes
195 Democrats signed, sealed and delivered a letter to Speaker Boehner asking for a clean vote.
Rep. Pat Meehan (R-Penn.) said it’s time to, “Negotiate a responsible compromise.”
Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va.) tweeted that it’s “time for a clean CR.”
Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) said he went to Washington to “make government work, not shut it down.”
Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Penn.) told his local paper he would “absolutely” vote for a clean bill.
Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) told the National Review he wouldn’t “vote for anything other than a clean CR.”
Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.) said, “Enough is enough… It’s time to govern.”
Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Penn.) told the Huffington Post that he is “prepared to vote for a clean CR.”
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) also told the Huffington Post that he supports a clean CR.
Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) told a local TV station that he supports a clean bill.
Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) wrote an email that he would vote for a clean funding bill.
Rep. Frank Lobiondo (R-N.J.) told The Press of Atlantic City that he would vote in favor of a new budget.
Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) has vowed his support.  
Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Penn.) has also vowed his support.
Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) told the Huffington Post he would “not oppose” a vote.
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) tweeted his support for a vote.
Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.) told a reporter he supported the bill.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) told the Miami Herald he would vote for a clean CR.
Rep. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) has pledged his support.
Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) tweeted his support for the bill.
Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) said he would vote for a clean CR.
Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.) wrote an op-ed in the Tampa Bay Times pledging his support.
Rep. John Runyan (R-N.J.) said, “let’s get on with business” in his statement.

Step 4: Addition
195+22 = 217

The math doesn’t lie. The votes are there.