Democrats win control of the US House and Senate in the 2026 midterms

Who's saying what

• President Trump

  He said he was "a little bit surprised" and "thought we'd do better", and said: "I don't view it as a hit on me." On Truth Social he wrote that had he been on the ballot he would have won "IN A LANDSLIDE". He says he will work with Democrats, but will use his veto.¹⁶¹⁰

• Republican leaders

  Vice President JD Vance wrote: "The reason we lost is the war", meaning the war with Iran. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he will not stay on as Republican leader and pledged a "firewall of House Republicans". Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Republicans "will not stand idly by".⁶¹⁰

• Democratic leaders

  House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries likened the wins to an "American tsunami" and has launched his bid to become Speaker. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is expected to become majority leader, and warned Trump that vetoing Democratic bills would bring a "Republican catastrophe" in the 2028 elections. Control of committees lets Democrats hold hearings, demand documents and subpoena officials; major laws would still need the president's signature.³⁴⁷⁹¹⁰

What's next

Mississippi: Democrat Scott Colom led Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by 1,813 votes with 96% counted on the morning of 6 November. About 3,600 mail ballots were still awaited; they count if they arrive within five business days, and counties must submit certified results by 13 November. The state has no automatic recount, so a challenge would go through the courts. Colom said: "We're prepared to litigate, though." Hyde-Smith says she remains confident. Alaska: Democrat Mary Peltola led Sen. Dan Sullivan by just over 600 votes with 74% counted on the evening of 5 November, and ranked-choice results are not due until 18 November. The new Congress is sworn in early in January; Republicans keep control until then.⁴¹⁰¹¹

The full story

Democrats won both chambers of the US Congress in the 3 November midterms, taking the House and flipping seven Senate seats. They have 54 senators, and two more Republican-held seats, Mississippi and Alaska, are still undecided with Democrats narrowly ahead in the count. NBC News estimates at least 259 House seats for Democrats; CBS News 251 to 268. They also flipped five governorships. President Trump says the result was not a verdict on him; Vice President Vance blames the war with Iran. Democrats take over in early January, and President Trump keeps his veto.

checked Nov 6, 2026