House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) emphasized concerns about rising gas prices on Sunday as Republicans work to maintain their narrow majority in the House ahead of November's midterm elections. Johnson's comments come as the party faces internal disagreements over legislative priorities and strategy.

Gas prices have increased significantly since late February following the outbreak of war in Iran, with Tehran's actions effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global energy supplies. The price surge has become a key political issue as both parties prepare for the upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, conservative House Republicans are pushing leadership to advance a third budget reconciliation bill before the August recess, an ambitious timeline that faces significant challenges given the party's slim majority. The proposed legislation would focus on increasing Pentagon funding and addressing alleged fraud in federal programs.

The reconciliation process allows certain budget-related bills to pass the Senate with a simple majority, bypassing the usual 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster. However, the aggressive timeline proposed by conservatives has created tension within the Republican caucus.

The internal GOP divisions highlight the challenges facing House leadership as they attempt to balance competing priorities while maintaining party unity. With their narrow majority, Republicans can afford few defections on major legislative initiatives, making consensus-building critical for any significant policy advances before the midterm elections.