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In a rousing address to the House before the uncertain vote on the Republican health-care bill, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) demanded to know if members of his party would be "men and women of our word."

"A lot of us have been waiting seven years to cast this vote," Ryan said. "Many of us are here because we pledged to cast this very vote to repeal and replace ObamaCare. To rescue people from this collapsing law."

Last-minute counts put the health-care law as passing at exactly 217 votes, meaning there is no margin of error at all. Ryan, at least, seemed optimistic: "We will not falter," he said. "We will replace. Today is going to be the day we do this.'" Jeva Lange