Hakeem Jeffries

Democrats now control both chambers of the U.S. Congress, holding at least 54 seats in the Senate and expanding their House majority by at least 30 seats. They also captured a majority of the nation’s governorships for the first time since 2010, adding seven Senate seats, over two dozen House districts and several state legislative chambers. The shift follows the November 3 midterm elections and marks the first instance of a Republican president facing a Democratic‑controlled Congress in both houses. The results are expected to reshape legislative priorities and oversight of the Trump administration.

Democrats won control of both houses of Congress in the US midterm elections on 3 Nov, ending the Republicans' unified hold on power. Exit polls show voters cited the cost of living, government corruption and the Iran war. President Trump admitted part of the defeat was tied to Iran, and Vice President JD Vance said many 2024 Trump voters switched to Democrats. The new session begins in January, when Democrats will be able to block Trump's legislation and scrutinise war spending in Iran.

The Democratic Party now holds 54 seats in the Senate and 228 seats in the House, giving it clear control of both chambers. Voters flipped four Senate seats previously held by Republicans, including a win in Texas that made James Talarico the state's first Democratic senator since 1988 and a victory in South Carolina. In Texas, Gina Hinojosa also became the first Latina governor. The Justice Department deployed about 1,000 monitors to polling places nationwide, citing election integrity as a top priority.