It came late in the day. As a matter of fact, it came just a few hours before midnight. But, last week, the House of Representatives acted…avoiding a federal government shutdown.

The last-minute vote wasn’t a total surprise, since tough votes are often not taken until deadlines are nearing. Yet, what made this one especially special is that, as first proposed, it was attacked by incoming President Donald Trump and his new surrogate, Elon Musk.

No one knows what will happen with Speaker Mike Johnson when the new Congress convenes. Because of the messy way in which this needed legislation ultimately passed, he may incur the wrath of Mr. Trump and not be re-elected Speaker of the House.

On the other hand, members of the House might again select him as their leader. The bare Republican majority in the new Congress, makes it even more difficult for the House to operate with just Republican votes. Despite being criticized for it, Speaker Johnson reached across the aisle for Democratic votes when that became necessary to keep the government running.

The big “bugaboo,” of course, in all of this, is the national debt. Congressmen and Presidents love to spend money though they don’t often like to raise the taxes necessary to pay for it. Debt financing is easier. This means that the national debt keeps going up, and that has meant that Congress has to keep raising the debt ceiling.

Mr. Trump has, from reports, suggested doing away with the debt ceiling altogether. That would give him (and any President) carte blanche power to take deficit spending to any level that they would want. Congress, rightly, wants to retain some control over the purse strings, and they should. That role is given to them in the Constitution.

A subplot in all of this is the part that Elon Musk will play in the new administration. He publicly supported Mr. Trump in the election and poured a lot of money into his campaign. At one rally, Mr. Trump, in introducing him said: “A new star is born, Elon Musk!”

Yet, Mr. Trump is also well known for not playing “second fiddle” to anyone. Musk needs to be careful and not overplay his hand.

Also, Musk is not known for listening to others even in his own business dealings. Working with the U.S. Congress is something he has never done. When it comes to politicians on Capitol Hill, he will be dealing with a different breed of cat. Members of Congress have been directly elected by the people. Congress has its own role to play and will not easily be pushed aside.

I have a hunch, but it is just a hunch, that Mike Johnson might actually survive and be re-elected Speaker in the new Congress. He is a likeable guy and seems to have fewer political enemies than many other potential candidates.

A big fight to select a new Speaker would also likely result in a non-functioning House of Representatives, as we saw two years ago when it took weeks to elect a Speaker. The winner of that particular contest, Kevin McCarthy, lasted only a few months before being ousted.

We need the House of Representatives to fulfill its role under the Constitution. There is little to be gained for the country if Congress again falls into chaos over electing a leader.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.