Democrats Take Control of Congress in Upset Midterms

Overview

• Democrats won majorities in both the House and the Senate after Tuesday's midterm vote on November 3, 2026, flipping long-held Republican seats in Texas, Kansas and Maine.
• Control of committees gives the new Democratic majority authority to delay or block White House nominations, issue subpoenas and open investigations into conflicts of interest and government contracts.
• Voter concern about rising living costs, the administration's tariff policy and the war with Iran drove unusually high turnout and undercut Republican support in competitive districts.
• Record private spending did not deliver wins for its backers: Elon Musk spent hundreds of millions to help Republicans and suffered notable political and financial setbacks in Texas races.
• A viral campaign using the hashtag #DeportTheBolsonaros has escalated diplomatic and immigration questions about Flávio and Eduardo Bolsonaro in the U.S., increasing pressure on the State Department while any formal deportation would require executive discretion and bilateral talks with Brazil.