Democrats take both chambers with 250-157 House majority

The 2026 midterm election results, compiled by Ballotpedia, show that Democrats have secured majorities in both chambers of Congress. As of 4:00 PM ET on November 6, Democrats hold at least a 250 to 157 majority in the House of Representatives and a 54 to 44 majority in the Senate. This outcome follows the November 3 vote in which Democrats picked up at least 43 House seats, 42 of which were previously held by Republicans, and seven Senate seats. The net loss of at least seven Senate seats places this election in the top 20 percent of election years for seat swings against a president’s party, a threshold defined as a wave election.

The shift in power places significant new responsibilities on House Democratic leaders. Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, is in line to become the next House speaker. His office has outlined a 100-day agenda that prioritizes swift action on several key issues. Early votes in the new Congress are expected to focus on boosting Medicaid and restoring an enhanced tax subsidy designed to lower the cost of Affordable Care Act health plans for millions of enrollees. Jeffries stated that the party is going to get out of the gate fast, emphasizing a commitment to translating their sweeping victories into tangible achievements for lowering the cost of living.

A central component of the new House agenda involves legislative efforts to stop the war with Iran. Democrats are promising swift action on this front, reflecting the public sentiment that emerged during the election cycle. The Iran conflict has been a major point of contention, with many Republicans blaming the war for the party's midterm losses. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has defended the administration's actions, stating that the war was necessary to confront the Iranian regime's pursuit of a nuclear weapon. He noted that while the war might not be popular, it can be necessary, a sentiment echoed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The new Democratic majority also intends to reverse some of President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. This goal is part of a broader push to address the economic impact of the tariff war, which has roiled markets and contributed to higher prices for goods like gas and food. Five working groups led by Jeffries are developing plans to introduce bills that lower costs in areas such as housing, energy, groceries, and caregiving. The party is also looking to address the expansion of artificial intelligence data centers. Representative Ted Lieu of California noted that House Republicans previously let the AI industry run wild, a decision that was politically and policy-wise flawed. The new leadership plans to hold public hearings and pass legislation establishing reasonable guardrails for AI and data centers.

Obstacles remain for the Democratic agenda despite their strong House majority. A 60-vote threshold in the Senate is required for legislation to pass, and a potential presidential veto looms large. President Trump posted a photo of a red hat with the word VETO on his social media site on election night, signaling his stance. The Senate is currently considering bipartisan legislation aimed at speeding up permitting reviews for data centers and other infrastructure projects. This bill would shorten timelines for both clean energy and fossil fuel projects. While the bill has support from major industry groups, many environmental organizations have criticized it for potentially locking in fossil fuel development and weakening environmental safeguards.

The new Congress faces the challenge of reversing Medicaid changes that are expected to cut more than 900 billion dollars from the program over a decade. These cuts, approved by Republicans, were designed to offset costs from the administration's tax and spending cut bill. The changes imposed new administrative requirements and added conditions for eligibility, including work requirements. Democrats are trying to reverse these measures as part of their healthcare priorities. The party's success in these areas will be a key test of their ability to govern effectively and deliver on their campaign promises to voters.

The election results also show that Democrats have won a plurality of state government trifectas and a majority of governorships for the first time since before the 2010 elections. As of the reported results, Democrats had won 22 of the 36 gubernatorial races, while Republicans won 12. Five states changed party control from Republicans to Democrats. In state legislative chambers, Democrats had won 46 and Republicans 39 of the 88 chambers on the ballot. This broad sweep of state offices provides Democrats with additional leverage in the coming legislative sessions and reinforces their national mandate.

The international reaction to the election has been mixed. While some global leaders and citizens expressed relief that American democracy survived the Trump era with a check on presidential power, others remain skeptical. In London, startup founder Joe Reeve noted that the midterm afterglow faded quickly, as the deep distrust of the United States persisted. In South Korea, office worker Kim So-jung emphasized that one election alone does not restore trust and that the new leadership must demonstrate different actions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz questioned why Trump would change his governing style, noting that he has largely governed without Congress for the past two years.

The incoming Democratic leadership must now navigate the complex process of passing legislation that can withstand a presidential veto. The 54 to 44 Senate majority provides a slim cushion, but the 60-vote requirement for cloture remains a significant hurdle. The party's ability to pass key bills on healthcare, Iran, and tariffs will determine the effectiveness of their new majority. The coming months will be critical as the new Congress convenes in January to begin its work. The focus will be on delivering concrete results that address the cost of living and the administration's foreign policy decisions.