Johnson, facing uncertain future, seeks to save House GOP

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), in an interview with The Hill from the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, said he “probably underestimated” just how much work it would be to lead the House GOP’s massive political operation.

Johnson has been on the road constantly this fall, crisscrossing the country to raise money and preserve — and try to grow — a fragile GOP majority. 

“We had a big challenge ahead of us, and I knew there was some travel involved. But I think I’ve had to travel more than my predecessors, because I was introducing myself to people for the first time,” said Johnson, who recently reached the one-year mark as Speaker.

“It’s been all-encompassing,” he added.

Johnson has been tasked with leading a fractious House GOP conference with an excruciatingly small majority, and it could stay that way even if Republicans keep the lower chamber.