Mike Johnson has two weeks to save the GOP majority

The House returns to session Monday two weeks after a hasty retreat from Washington. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., sent his members home early ahead of the Fourth of July weekend when a revolt from his caucus' right flank left the chamber paralyzed. Time hasn't changed the situation since then — and time is what Johnson lacks now.

Lawmakers are in town for eight working days before their annual August recess. When they return in early September, it will likely be too late for anything ambitious to make its way through the legislative process. Most of Congress' focus will be on simply keeping the lights on, not cramming a grab bag of conservative priorities into yet another GOP-only spending bill. But that is exactly what Johnson keeps insisting is in the works, even as every sign and portent says otherwise...