Updated November 4, 2026 at 1:02 AM EST
Midterms coverage: Live results | What to know | Stories around the country
Stay connected: NPR Politics Podcast | NPR Politics newsletter | NPR app
Democrats have cemented control of both chambers of Congress, according to an NPR analysis based on a tally of race calls by The Associated Press.
The twin victories in the House and Senate return the Democratic Party to full control of Congress for the first time since 2023 and deepens the level of expected friction between President Trump and congressional Democrats in a new era of divided government. After a largely unrestrained start to his second term, Trump's final two years in the White House are now certain to be hampered by congressional investigations in two chambers and legislators hostile to his agenda.
The midterm campaign was defined by Americans' frustrations with the high cost of living and perceived public corruption. Those concerns were at the heart of Democratic campaign messaging, including in the six Senate races that flipped from Republican control: North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Kansas and Iowa. Democrats also easily held onto a Senate seat in Georgia, despite its swing-state status.
In the House, Democrats secured a number of flips in key races, including at least three Florida districts that the state's Republican legislature redrew in an effort to stymie Democratic candidates. Democratic candidates also managed to oust four Republican incumbents in swing districts across Pennsylvania, all of that state's competitive races.
Loading...
Now, Washington enters a new political moment. Come January, when the new Congress is sworn in, President Trump is certain to face an onslaught of investigations and congressional oversight. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., expected to become chair of the House Oversight committee, did not mince words in the statement he posted to X: "LAWYER UP."
Still, voters hoping to see swift policy change could be disappointed. Trump retains his veto power, meaning legislation passed by Congress will almost certainly need his support to become law. That means Democrats' affordability-focused agenda may ultimately become a messaging tool for the 2028 election season, rather than a near-term policy intervention in Americans' everyday lives.
In an interview with the Pod Force One podcast that was published Monday, Trump addressed the prospect of losing unified Republican control in Washington, saying he would block Democrats' legislation if they take control of Congress.
"I'll become Mr. Veto," Trump said, adding, "and then at some point we'll probably make deals."
Democrats will have to work with Republicans on some must-pass legislation, including the 12 annual appropriations bills needed to fund the government.
Still, the party's control of the Senate will halt the steady confirmation of Trump-nominated judges through the body. It also means that any Cabinet nominees will need the support of at least a handful of Democrats to take the posts in a permanent capacity.
When it comes to investigations, Democrats have signaled an ambitious agenda, with potential inquiries into everything from the independence of agencies such as the Justice Department and Homeland Security, to the business interests of the president and his family.
A remarkable turnaround
The Senate win marked a long-fought victory for Democrats, and an electoral disaster for Republicans, who began the year with little expectation that their 53–47 majority was at risk. But with voters frustrated about the cost of living, the GOP was forced to compete in several states that President Trump won by double digits in 2024.
In the closing weeks of the election, President Trump took to the campaign trail and implored Republican voters to pretend he was on the ballot. But at a moment when Trump's approval ratings are hovering at historic lows, below 40 percent, the argument was not enough to save the GOP majority.
Losing the Senate majority marks a blow for Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
In a post to X early Wednesday morning, Thune said that "Senate Republicans have put up a strong record of accomplishment that's created safer streets, more money in Americans' pockets, and new opportunities for families and businesses to get ahead."
"I'm proud of our team and everything we've done for the American people," Thune wrote. "Senate Republicans will not stand idly by as the far-left, socialist wing of the Democrat Party attempts to unwind everything we've done"
Across the aisle, Democrats' victory represents a vindication for Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who faced criticism from some progressives early in the president's second term that he was not doing enough to stand up to Trump.
In an October floor speech, Schumer said Democrats were ready to challenge President Trump and Republicans' agenda.
"We are ready to hit the ground running to lower costs, rein in chaos and stop the corruption," Schumer said. "Republicans broke faith with the American people. We know we need to build that trust with the Americans back up, and we will."
Copyright 2026 NPR
Loading...
