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Democrats Win Control of Congress in 2026 US Midterm Elections
Democrats won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2026 US midterm election results. Voters decided the races on November 3, and the Senate call came on election night while the House call came early the next day. The result gives Democrats control of committee chairmanships and the legislative agenda, while Republican President Donald Trump stays in office for the rest of his second term. Associated Press via US News
US Midterm Election Results: Democrats Take the Senate
Democrats flipped seven Republican-held Senate seats. The Associated Press reported the seats in Maine, Texas, South Carolina, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and Kansas. AP via Yahoo News
Republicans had entered Election Day with a 53-47 majority, counting two independents who vote with Democrats. CNN’s Decision Desk projected that Democrats would hold 54 seats. CNN If Democrats also win in Mississippi and Alaska, their total could rise to 56. The Hill
Even with a majority, Democrats remain far short of the two-thirds vote needed to override a presidential veto. US News
US Midterm Election Results: House Control Changes Hands
Before the vote, Republicans held 218 House seats and Democrats held 214, with some seats vacant. Uncover IE The Associated Press called the House majority for Democrats early on November 4. US News
CNN’s Decision Desk projected that Democrats would win more than 250 seats and unseat at least 30 Republican incumbents. CNN Mississippi Today reported that Democrats held 255 seats as of November 10. That would be their largest House majority since 2008, and more races are still being called. Mississippi Today
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries won reelection and is in line to become Speaker if Democrats elect him. Variety Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson will not seek to stay on as the top House Republican, the Associated Press reported. AP via WBTV The House speaker vote is among the first votes of the new Congress, which begins on January 3, 2027. AP via WBTV
US Midterm Election Results: Races Still Being Counted
More than a dozen key races remained too early to call one week after Election Day. Mississippi Today
In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom led Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith by 2,604 votes on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. With 97 percent of votes counted, the AP had not yet called the race because the gap was only 0.28 percent of ballots cast. AP via Yahoo News: Mississippi counties must submit certified results by Friday, November 13. Mississippi Today
In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola led Republican Senator Dan Sullivan by 2,517 votes with 76 percent counted. Alaska uses ranked-choice voting, which can extend the wait for a final winner. AP via Yahoo News: Peltola’s lead has since grown, according to The Hill. The Hill: These leads are not final results until the AP calls the races.
What Trump and Republican Leaders Said About the Election
Trump acknowledged that the war with Iran and higher fuel prices hurt Republicans at the polls. He also argued that his own absence from the ballot was a major reason Democrats won. Ynet News: He defended the military campaign and said he would make the same decision again. Al Jazeera
A Fox News survey taken before Election Day found that 74 percent of respondents said the Iran war was a crucial or major factor in their votes for Congress. Stripes Trump said he expects to work with Democrats, but he also warned that he would veto bills he considers extreme. Ynet News
Speaker Johnson said Republicans had to beat more than a century of midterm history to keep the House. AP via GPB Political analysts at Northeastern University said Democrats performed well in areas that Trump won in 2024. Northeastern University
Historic Firsts in the Incoming Congress
Several winners will make history. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed will become the first Muslim to serve in the US Senate when the new Congress convenes in January. Anadolu Agency Democrat Chris Pappas won New Hampshire’s Senate race, making him the first openly gay man elected to the chamber. IBTimes UK: Minnesota’s Peggy Flanagan won her Senate race and became the first Native American woman elected to the Senate. IBTimes UK
US Government Funding Deadline Could Test the New Congress
A temporary funding law keeps the federal government funded through December 11, 2026. AP via KOB President Trump signed that stopgap bill in early September. Fox News
Congress is back for a lame-duck session. Without a new law, federal agencies would begin to close on December 12. ROIC Goldman Sachs analysts expect Congress to approve another temporary extension rather than settle every dispute before the deadline. IBTimes No shutdown has happened yet, and the outcome remains open.
Background and Analysis: Why Voters Shifted
Midterm elections happen halfway through a president’s term. Because of this, a party other than the president’s often gains control of Congress. Uncover IE Political analysts largely attributed the Democratic wins to voter dissatisfaction. Northeastern University The Associated Press listed the cost of living, immigration enforcement policies and the war in Iran as leading voter concerns. US News: These are explanations from analysts and polling, not proven causes.
Impact on Bangladeshi Americans
No report reviewed for this article describes how these results will affect Bangladeshi Americans directly. Still, three areas could matter to the community. First, a federal shutdown could disrupt government services and some economic data releases, and businesses that depend on federal contracts could face payment delays. IBTimes Second, immigration enforcement was a leading voter concern and was part of the 2026 funding fights. Fox News: Third, cost of living and fuel prices were major concerns for voters. US News
What’s Next
Confirmed: Democrats control the new Senate and House, based on AP calls and network projections. The new Congress begins on January 3, 2027. AP via WBTV
Still uncertain: The Mississippi and Alaska Senate races have not been called. Mississippi’s certified results are due November 13. Mississippi Today: The December 11 funding deadline could bring a shutdown, though a short extension is widely expected. IBTimes: Trump has threatened vetoes, but no new legislation has passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won control of Congress in the 2026 midterms?
Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate, according to AP calls and network projections. The Senate and House counts may still change as the remaining races are finalized.
When does the new Congress start?
The new Congress begins on January 3, 2027. The House speaker vote is among the first votes.
Which US Senate races are still being counted?
The Mississippi and Alaska Senate races had not been called by the AP as of November 10.
When is the next government funding deadline?
The current funding law runs through December 11, 2026. Without a new law, federal agencies would begin to close on December 12.
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