House Democratic leaders are whipping hard to get the votes for a record $1.9 trillion debt limit hike, with a close vote expected this afternoon.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Md.) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (S.C.) pored over lists of Member names Thursday on the House floor after whipping the Caucus during a series of votes.

Democrats expect to get the votes in part by securing the votes of fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition members because the debt hike has been paired with a statutory pay-as-you-go budgeting rule.

“This is the whole reason their Caucus exists,” a senior Democratic aide said. “It’s a cause for celebration and everybody understands to get that win you have to swallow this bitter pill.”