The Democratic Party gained control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the recent midterm elections, winning in districts and states previously carried by President Trump. Following the losses, a source familiar with Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-LA) plans reported that he intends to step down as the top House Republican in the upcoming Congress. In the Senate, Democrats secured their largest majority since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, with results in Alaska and Mississippi still pending.
If Democratic candidates win the remaining uncalled Senate races, the party’s majority would increase to 54 seats, in addition to two independents who caucus with them. In the House, notable outcomes included Democrat Teresa Benitez-Thompson’s victory in Nevada’s 2nd District, a seat held by Republicans since the 1980s. In Alabama's 2nd District, Shomari Figures (D) won by more than seven points in a district that favored Trump by 14 points following redistricting.
Democratic leaders stated they intend to use their new majority to launch investigations in both chambers. While NPR reports that major legislation is unlikely to pass due to the 60-vote threshold required for most Senate bills, the party has outlined priorities including restoring healthcare subsidies, reversing Medicaid cuts, exerting control over tariffs, and seeking an end to the war in Iran. President Trump, appearing in public after the results, stated he was not to blame for the Republican losses, noting he was not on the ballot.
Voters in 39 states, Washington, D.C., and the Northern Mariana Islands also decided on 146 local ballot measures during the midterms. These measures include changes to state taxes, transgender rights, the use of traffic cameras, and the regulation of data centers.
The Democratic majority in Congress may lead to stricter funding controls on federal programs. NPR reports that Democrats intend to focus on immigration enforcement spending and the ongoing conflict in Iran. While the party campaigned on lowering costs and addressing corruption, a Democratic majority could also pressure the administration to shift its stance on tariffs. However, influencing fuel prices remains difficult as they are tied to international oil markets.
What happens next depends on the final certification of races in Alaska and Mississippi and the formal transition of House leadership following Mike Johnson's reported plan to step down. The new Congress will determine the scope of planned investigations. President Trump has stated he may veto future legislation or potentially work with the new majority. In the international sphere, a brief ceasefire in Ukraine’s Kherson region, brokered by Melania Trump and Pope Leo, allowed residents to evacuate Oleshky.