I do not understand this sentence-
The Blue Dogs, a group of supposedly conservative Dems who have usually marched to Speaker Pelosi’s drum, were fearful that the National Rifle Association would “score” — i.e., use the vote to determine its annual rating of gun-friendly (and unfriendly) members the vote on the rule to bring the matter to the House floor.
Many of the House Democrats in “red” districts are downright scared of the NRA. The NRA is very deft at politics ... they reward Democrats when they even come close to voting their interests.