House Speaker Mike Johnson raised more than $18 million for House Republicans over the second quarter of the year, pushing his total election cycle haul above $50 million.
Mr. Johnson will rely on the financial war chest to help defend the slim House GOP majority in the 2026 midterm elections. Democrats’ best chance of breaking the Republican stranglehold on Washington appears, at least early on, to be in flipping the lower chamber.
Mr. Johnson said the fundraising haul reflected how the 119th Congress has accomplished more over the past six months than “any Congress in modern history by delivering on the mandate voters entrusted to us last year, and we are just getting started.”
“From promises made and promises kept to the latest fundraising quarter, it is clear that House Republicans are on offense,” Mr. Johnson said. “With over $50 million raised for House Republicans so far this year, it is my great honor to lead this fight and ensure we are ready to defend and grow our majority in 2026.”
Mr. Johnson has funneled $14 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP’s campaign arm, and more than $10 million to individual members.
The Louisiana Republican played a pivotal role in shepherding President Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful” bill through the House and onto the president’s desk, overcoming concerns over whether he could keep most of his troops in line.
The bill extended the 2017 Trump tax cuts, and beefed up spending on border security and the military. It also reduced future spending on Medicaid and food assistance programs, and is projected to add trillions of dollars to the soaring national debt.
The legislative success has strengthened Mr. Johnson’s image as a leader and is also helping to define the early contours of the 2026 midterms.
Meanwhile, Democrats are casting the new law as a surefire midterm loser for Republicans next year, arguing millions will lose health care coverage to offset the costs of tax cuts for the wealthy. They seek to reclaim the House gavel and make life harder for Mr. Trump to implement his vision during his final two years in office.
As it stands, Republicans hold a 220-212 edge over Democrats in the lower chamber, and there are three vacancies.
