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After Congress’ certification of the presidential election Jan. 6, Republicans expressed confidence in their ability to advance President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda.

WASHINGTON — Republican Mike Johnson won re-election to the House speakership on a first ballot Jan. 3, pushing past GOP hard-right holdouts.

Mike Johnson has faced criticism from ultraconservative lawmakers after backing a temporary spending deal that failed to include Donald Trump’s demands for lifting the U.S. debt ceiling.

The department has in the past deployed what are known as “extraordinary measures” or accounting maneuvers to keep the government operating.

The spending bill would keep the government open through March 14, provide disaster relief and give billions of dollars in economic aid to farmers. It will not suspend the national debt limit.

President Joe Biden recently signed into law Congress’ annual defense policy bill, which includes trucking-centric provisions.

The bill failed by a vote of 235 to 174, with 38 Republicans voting against it in defiance of both Trump and Musk. Nearly all Democrats voted against the spending package.

Legislation designed to facilitate commercial drivers’ applications for security credentials was recently cleared by Congress for President Joe Biden’s desk.

The drama left Johnson huddling with allies in his Capitol office to come up with a Plan B that would keep the government financed and avoid the political pain of a shutdown come Dec. 21.

Ethanol makers and corn growers have fought for more than a decade to expand access to E15 amid fierce opposition from oil refining states. That opposition has eased some with the rise of EVs.