They have come to be known on Capitol Hill as the “hope yes, vote no” caucus — lawmakers who privately fear the repercussions of a federal shutdown or default but have been compelled to vote against compromise bills because of political pressure from the right.

“Too many of our members hope yes and vote no,” said Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Pa.), a moderate who is among the roughly 80 Republicans who have joined with Democrats to push through crucial spending bills this year. “That’s Paul Ryan’s challenge. How do we expand the governing wing of the Republican Party?”

Since regaining control of the House in 2011, GOP members have deserted their leaders on several high-stakes votes to set the federal budget, fund agencies and increase the debt limit. The dynamic came to a dramatic head earlier this year ahead of a Sept. 30 appropriations deadline, when then-Speaker John A. Boehner of Ohio announced his resignation after it became clear that any deal would prompt an internal revolt…

Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) wrote that he had no quarrel with members who vote against bills they have genuine qualms about, but rather with those who vote against a bill while “know[ing] that the outcome will be even worse if the bill fails.”