Democrats on course to win majority in US House, Senate

US House of Representatives

Democrats were projected by CNN and NBC News to win a majority in the US House of Representatives in Tuesday’s midterm elections, while the Associated Press called the Senate for the Democrats. The results put Democrats on course to wrest control of both chambers of Congress from Republicans.

NBC News projected that Democrats would win about 244 seats in the 435-seat House, well above the 218 needed for a majority. Vote counting continued, and the final seat tally could still change.

Democrats regained control of the Senate after flipping six Republican-held seats in Iowa, Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas, according to AP.

The projected House majority puts Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries in line to become the first Black speaker of the House if lawmakers elect him when the new Congress convenes in January 2027.

Democratic control of both chambers would shift the balance of power in Washington for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term. It would give Democrats more scope to scrutinize his administration, launch congressional investigations and shape legislation on taxes and federal spending.

The shift would make it harder for Trump to advance his legislative agenda, though he would retain the power to veto bills passed by Congress.