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President Donald Trump’s tax and budget agenda is one step closer toward realization after the House of Representatives agreed on a partisan legislative blueprint.

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 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.

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.

Congress is working to clear for President Joe Biden fiscal 2025 legislation prior to this month’s deadline. A new session of Congress is scheduled to start in early January.

WASHINGTON — The House voted Nov. 14 to prevent a government shutdown after new Republican Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats.

Two weeks before government funding expires, Speaker Mike Johnson raised the possibility for the House to consider another short-term stopgap measure.