Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) gave $17.5 million to House Republicans for the second quarter, his largest quarterly transfer to the conference as speaker as he works to defend a razor-thin majority in the 2026 midterm elections.
Of the $17.5 million, $6.5 million will go toward incumbents included in the speaker’s “Grow the Majority Committee,” with members receiving an average check of $213,000. The transfer also includes $3 million to state parties and committees and $8 million for the National Congressional Campaign Committee.
Last quarter, Johnson donated $11 million to the House Republican conference, which holds a three-seat majority during one of the most legislatively significant terms of Congress under the GOP trifecta.
In a statement, Johnson said the record-breaking transfer is proof the conference is in a “strong position” to win in 2026.
“House Republicans are on offense to deliver our agenda and to grow our majority,” Johnson said. “Democrats, who have learned nothing from their historic 2024 loss, continue to promote even more radical policies and candidates. Instead, House Republicans are working to secure the border, cut taxes, make government work better, and promote peace through strength.”
The House historically flips to the party opposite the White House in the midterm elections. Democrats only need a net gain of three seats to recapture the majority, though the party is defending 39 competitive seats to Republicans’ 29.
Republicans are eager to keep hold of their trifecta, as the last time Republicans held one was from 2017 to 2019 during President Donald Trump’s first term. The GOP is moving ahead with the hope of making a budget reconciliation legislation, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the crowning achievement of the first two years of Trump’s second term.
Historically, the party in charge falls out of favor in the midterm elections. The GOP risks losing support with voters due to controversial executive actions signed by Trump, particularly those involving immigration and tariffs.
Democrats have had a successful off-cycle, winning tight races in swing states or flipping red seats in special elections in places such as Omaha, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Iowa.
Fundraising is a major component of a party’s success, particularly in the House. Johnson’s totals have been compared to those of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was a powerhouse when it came to defending incumbents and raising money for House Republican campaigns.
In January, Johnson launched the updated version of the “Grow the Majority” Joint Fundraising Committee. It includes more than 70 Republican entities with a maximum contribution of more than $1 million.
Johnson’s donation comes as the Senate and House are battling over reconciliation, with their self-imposed deadline of July 4 looming in just eight days. The Senate could vote into the weekend, and House lawmakers have been advised that there will be votes held next weekend despite the scheduled Fourth of July recess, per a whip notice shared with members and obtained by the Washington Examiner.
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The Senate needs 50 votes to pass the bill, and the House needs 218. Johnson can only afford to lose three votes and still pass the “one big beautiful” along party lines, with that number fluctuating depending on Democratic attendance.
A handful of Republicans from the SALT and Freedom caucuses have said they will not vote for the bill if it does not include the provisions negotiated in “good faith” with House leaders and the White House, but as the Senate leans more centrist than the lower chamber, it is expected the upper chamber’s final product will create discontent among House conservatives.