Democrats Sweep 2026 Midterms, Taking Control of Both Chambers of Congress
Written by AI from cbsnews.com's report. Not checked by a person.
Democrats won sweeping victories in the 2026 midterm elections, reclaiming control of both the House and Senate as voters repudiated President Trump and Republican governance, CBS News projects.
Democrats secured control of both chambers of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, with CBS News projecting the party will hold between 251 and 268 House seats after flipping more than two dozen Republican-held districts — including perennial swing seats and areas once considered deep-red, stretching from suburban Northeastern communities to parts of South Texas that had been trending Republican.
In the Senate, Democrats locked in at least 54 seats, flipping seven states: Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, Ohio, Iowa, North Carolina, and Maine. Texas, Kansas, and South Carolina each elected their first Democratic senators in decades. Mississippi and Alaska remained too close to call.
The Republican fallout was swift. House Speaker Mike Johnson told staffers he would not seek another term as GOP leader, setting off a battle over the conference's future direction. President Trump was reported to be asking advisers whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should stay in his role, though Trump later said he is not considering removing him. Vice President JD Vance pointed squarely at one cause, saying the Iran war is "the reason we lost" — a remark that previewed a potential intraparty debate ahead of 2028.
Democrats wasted little time laying out their plans for the new Congress. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer vowed the party would "entangle [Mr. Trump] in legislative razor wire," signaling an aggressive approach toward the administration once Democrats take their seats next year.
