Short answer: In the U.S. House of Representatives, a simple majority of those voting is typically required to pass a bill, with 218 votes needed if all 435 members are present and voting. However, the exact number can vary if members are absent or if the chamber uses a different voting method for a particular measure. Details

• Standard bills: Most House votes are decided by a simple majority of those present and voting. With 435 voting members, that usually means 218 votes to pass, assuming a quorum is met. If members are absent, the number needed is still a majority of those voting, not a fixed 218, so the threshold can change depending on turnout [web source discussions on voting fundamentals and the 218 figure].
• Quorum and voting rules: The House requires a quorum to conduct business, typically a majority of its members, for most actions to proceed. If quorum isn’t met, votes cannot be held, and the measure cannot pass [general descriptions of House procedures].
• Exceptions: Certain actions require special majorities (e.g., constitutional amendments require two-thirds; overriding a presidential veto requires two-thirds in both chambers) [general framework of majorities and supermajorities].
• Real-world variation: In practice, leadership can affect which bills come to the floor and under what voting procedures, and political constraints (like the “Hastert rule” or party discipline) can influence whether a bill is brought for a vote [Hastert rule discussions and related procedural notes].

What can affect the vote threshold

• Absences: If many members are absent, the majority threshold applies to those present and voting, which could be fewer than 218 if not all present vote.
• Procedural vehicles: Some bills move through procedures that involve multiple votes (e.g., reconciliation, amendments, etc.), but the final passage typically requires a simple majority of votes cast on the final passage.

If you want, I can tailor this to a specific bill or a current session example, and I can pull up the latest floor voting rules or recent vote totals for context.