Democrats Win Control of US Senate and House in 2026 Midterms
WASHINGTON — Democrats have secured control of the United States Senate, ending Republican dominance in the chamber following midterm elections marked by voter frustration with Donald Trump. The political shift alters the balance of power in Washington as results continue to materialize nationwide.
Alongside the victory in the Senate, CBS News projects that Democrats have also won control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 election cycle. Early projection results highlighted significant shifts across multiple districts, including successful Democratic challenges in Ohio, Iowa, and Missouri that contributed to the broader congressional turnover.
Historically, capturing congressional seats during a midterm election while a party holds the presidency is an uphill battle. According to the American Presidency Project, the last time a president's party gained seats in a midterm election occurred in 2002 under George W. Bush, following strong approval ratings in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Previous historical gains by the incumbent president's party also occurred in 1998 under Bill Clinton and in 1934 under Franklin D. Roosevelt.
