The gatherings unfolded uneventfully, unlike four years ago when alternate electors for Trump convened in seven states that he lost.

It was government shutdown season in Washington, and all through the House, many creatures were stirring — most notably Elon Musk.Lawmakers in Congress were expecting a glide path to the holidays. They had a bipartisan deal that would keep the government funded and send them all on their merry way back to their districts.