Democrats win full control of Congress in 2026 midterms

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Democrats won control of the House and Senate in the 2026 midterms, NBC News projected, taking both chambers from Republicans. The party flipped at least seven Senate seats and more than two dozen House districts, including seats in states Trump won in 2024.

The win gives Democrats committee gavels, subpoena power and the ability to block Trump's judicial nominees. It also sets up two years of divided government and a likely fight over investigations into the Trump administration.

Why it matters

Democratic majorities give lawmakers subpoena power to investigate Trump and block his judicial nominees.

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Key Indicators

252+

Projected House seats

NBC News projected Democrats would win at least 252 House seats, well above the 218 needed for a majority.

Senate seats flipped

Democrats flipped Republican-held Senate seats in Kansas, Iowa, Texas, Ohio, Maine, North Carolina and South Carolina.

71%

Voters wanting more oversight

Share of midterm voters, including 41% of Republicans, who said Congress does not oversee Trump enough.

43%

Voters opposing Trump

Share who said opposition to Trump was one reason for their vote.

27 pts

Latino vote Democratic lead

An NBC News poll before the election showed Democrats with a 27-point lead among Latino voters.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Donald Trump

President of the United States

Faces Democratic-controlled Congress in January

Chuck Schumer

Senate Democratic leader

Set to become Senate majority leader

Hakeem Jeffries

House Democratic leader

Expected Democratic nominee for speaker

Robert Garcia

Top Democrat on House Oversight Committee

Set to chair Oversight Committee

Jamie Raskin

Top Democrat on House Judiciary Committee

Set to chair Judiciary Committee

Jon Ossoff

U.S. Senator from Georgia

Won re-election

Roy Cooper

U.S. Senator-elect from North Carolina

Won Senate seat

Organizations Involved

Democratic Party (DIKO)

Political party (centrist)

Won House and Senate majorities

The Democratic Party won both chambers in the 2026 midterms.

Republican Party

Political party

Lost both chambers

The Republican Party lost both chambers in the 2026 midterms.

U.S. Congress

Legislative branch

Democrats will control both chambers in January

Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.

House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Congressional committee

Will have subpoena power under Democratic chair

The committee investigates government operations and executive branch conduct.

United States Senate

Legislative chamber

Democrats will control floor and confirmations

The Senate confirms nominees and controls its floor schedule.

Trump Administration (Second Term)

Executive branch

Faces divided government

The administration will face a Democratic Congress in January.

Timeline

February 2026 November 2026

6 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
NBC News projects Democratic Senate majority
Today Election

The projection follows the House win and gives Democrats full control of Congress.
Today
Democrats promise oversight and affordability agenda
Today Statement

Schumer says the party will lower costs, end corruption and end chaos.
Today
Democrats win House and Senate, NBC News projects
Election

Democrats flip at least seven Senate seats and more than two dozen House districts.
Yesterday
South Carolina falls early to Democrats
Election

A state many Democrats thought out of reach flipped, signaling a broad Republican loss.
Yesterday
Trump says he was not on the ballot
Statement

After results, Trump wrote on social media that Republicans lost because he was not on the ballot.
Yesterday
February 2026
Trump and Israeli leaders launch war with Iran
Conflict

Gas prices spike and voters disapprove of Trump's handling, creating a drag on Republican candidates.
February 2026

Scenarios

Jeffries elected House speaker on January 3

Likely Resolves by Jan 3, 2027

Discussed by: NBC News and House Democratic leadership schedule

House Democrats expect to nominate Jeffries in the week of Nov. 16. On Jan. 3, he needs 218 votes on the floor. With a projected majority of at least 252 seats, he can lose some Democrats and still win.

Oversight Committee subpoenas Trump family business records

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: House Oversight Committee Democrats

Robert Garcia has said he will investigate Trump family corruption, including foreign payments and crypto ventures. A subpoena would be the first formal step.

Senate blocks a Trump Supreme Court nominee

Possible Resolves by Jan 20, 2028

Discussed by: NBC News and Senate Democrats

Before the election, multiple Senate Democrats questioned whether they would confirm any Trump Supreme Court nominee. With a majority, they can reject one.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

November 1994

Republican Revolution (1994)

Republicans won the House and Senate for the first time in 40 years, powered by the Contract with America. Newt Gingrich became speaker and pushed a conservative legislative agenda.

Then

President Bill Clinton shifted toward smaller policies and fought Republican budget cuts.

Now

The standoff led to two government shutdowns in 1995 and 1996, setting a pattern for divided government.

Why this matters now

Shows how a midterm wave can give the opposition both chambers and set up clashes with a president.

November 2006

Democratic takeover (2006)

Democrats won the House and Senate amid the Iraq War and President George W. Bush's low approval ratings. Bush called the result 'a thumping.'

Then

Democrats launched oversight investigations into the Bush administration.

Now

The win helped set up the 2008 presidential race and showed how subpoena power can shape a president's final two years.

Why this matters now

Direct parallel: an unpopular Republican president in his second term lost both chambers, and Democrats used subpoena power.

November 2018

Democratic House takeover (2018)

Democrats won the House but not the Senate during Trump's first term. They gained subpoena power and launched investigations into his administration and businesses.

Then

The House impeached Trump in 2019 over his dealings with Ukraine.

Now

The Senate acquitted Trump, and the episode showed the limits of controlling only one chamber.

Why this matters now

Shows what Democrats could do with only the House; 2026 gives them the Senate too.