House Speaker John Boehner says the Republicans have a real fight on their hands if they are going to hang on to the majority in November.

The Hill reports Boehner says there's a one-in-three chance Republicans will lose control of the lower chamber of Congress after November's elections.

Congress has record-low approval ratings right now, which adds to the challenge facing Republicans.

 

Boehner is worried that Republican donors will take the House for granted, and pour their money into the battle for the White House and the Senate. 

A GOP aide familiar with Boehner’s decision to make the comment said the Speaker doesn’t want donors to become complacent, or less generous, in the effort to retain the new majority. 

Former National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Communications Director Ken Spain echoed that point on Twitter by offering a “translation” of Boehner’s remarks: “We feel very good but don’t want donors to stop giving.” 

Boehner has expressed concern that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has gone toe-to-toe on fundraising with the NRCC this cycle. 

Normally, the party that controls the House dominates the battle for cash. The DCCC, however, outraised the NRCC in 2011, though the Republican campaign committee has enjoyed a cash-on-hand advantage.