Democrats Win U.S. Senate; New York's Chuck Schumer to Return as Majority Leader

The Democratic Party recaptured control of the U.S. Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, flipping seats in multiple states including key battlegrounds where Republicans had expected to hold on. New York's Senator Chuck Schumer, who had served as Senate majority leader from 2021 to 2023 before Democrats lost the chamber, will return to that role when the new Congress convenes. Schumer described his mood before results arrived as "nauseously optimistic" and, after the Senate flip was confirmed, told supporters "relief is on the way." He cast his ballot in Brooklyn on Election Day before heading to the celebration. Democrats gained the Senate majority by holding their own seats while flipping seats in states President Trump had carried just two years prior. Combined with the House majority, Democrats will enter the new Congress controlling both chambers, allowing them to set the legislative agenda and potentially block key parts of Trump's second-term programme. NBC New York captured Schumer's victory remarks in a video segment aired on November 4.