Democrats' Midterm Sweep Sets Up Congressional Fight Over Education Policy

Democrats swept the 2026 midterm elections, winning majorities in both the House and Senate and flipping governors' seats in former Republican strongholds including Texas, Iowa, Ohio, and Georgia. Education policy — particularly the expansion of school voucher programs — was a central issue in several of those races.

In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has held the office since 2015, after campaigning against his universal school voucher program. In Iowa, Democrat Rob Sand won after 15 years of Republican leadership, pledging to add income limits and require annual audits of the state's voucher program while investing more in public schools.

Congressional Democrats are expected to hold oversight hearings and push back on the Trump administration's handling of the Education Department, which has reorganized the agency without congressional approval, altered civil rights enforcement, and withheld money appropriated by Congress. Restoring cut grants and ensuring federal money reaches schools, universities, and researchers is a top priority for advocates.

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten called on the new Congress to undo cuts to food stamps and Medicaid that affect low-income students. Democrats have also said they want to restore protections limiting immigration enforcement near schools and protect school internet subsidies the Trump administration wants to limit.

However, most observers expect education to take a back seat to other voter priorities such as affordability and foreign policy. Trump also retains veto power and has said he is prepared to work with Democrats.