- Early election results showed Democrats with 228 seats against 139 for Republicans
- Hakeem Jeffries poised to become speaker of the House; Chuck Schumer expected to lead Senate majority
Democrats won control of both chambers of the US Congress in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, giving the party significant influence over legislation, federal spending, presidential appointments, and oversight of the Trump administration.
The results mark a major shift in Washington, where Republicans previously controlled both chambers and could advance the president's legislative priorities with fewer obstacles.
Donald Trump retains the presidency until January 2029, and will continue exercising executive powers, including the authority to veto legislation.
Here is how the new power structure will work:
Democrats take control of both chambers
The US Congress has two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both must approve legislation before it can become law, although each has distinct constitutional responsibilities.
House of Representatives
Democrats have regained control of the 435-member House, where 218 seats are required for a majority.
Early election results showed Democrats with 228 seats against 139 for Republicans.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to become speaker, replacing Republican Mike Johnson.
If elected, Jeffries would become the first Black speaker in US history.
The speaker presides over the House, helps determine its legislative agenda, appoints committee members in consultation with party leadership and exercises considerable influence over which bills receive consideration.
Republicans will become the minority party, with Johnson expected to lead their opposition.
Senate
Democrats have also regained control of the 100-member Senate, overturning the Republican majority.
An early tally showed Democrats holding 54 seats, including two independents who caucus with them, against 43 Republicans, with three races still unresolved in the available results tracker.
Chuck Schumer, currently the Senate Democratic leader, is expected to become majority leader, replacing Republican John Thune.
The majority leader controls much of the upper house's legislative schedule, negotiates with other lawmakers and has significant influence over which bills and presidential nominations receive consideration.
Thune is expected to become the Republican minority leader.
Who will lead the two parties?
Members of Congress elect their party leaders, while the full House elects its speaker.
The leadership positions are therefore subject to formal votes ahead of the new congressional session.
Jeffries is poised to lead House Democrats as speaker, while Katherine Clark, the current Democratic whip, is expected to retain a senior leadership position.
The whip's role includes coordinating with lawmakers and securing votes for party legislation.
In the Senate, Schumer is likely to become majority leader. However, current Democratic Whip Dick Durbin will leave the chamber at the end of his term after deciding not to seek re-election in 2026, meaning Democrats will need to select a successor.
On the Republican side, Johnson is expected to lead House Republicans in the minority, while current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is expectedx to remain influential in the party's leadership.
Thune, meanwhile, will move from Senate's majority leader to minority leader, while current Republican Whip John Barrasso is expected to retain a senior leadership role.
Democrats flip at least 7 Republican Senate seats
Democrats overturned at least seven Republican-held Senate seats, including in traditionally conservative states, helping them secure control of the chamber.
Among the major victories were James Talarico's defeat of Republican Ken Paxton in Texas, Adam Hamilton's victory over Republican incumbent Roger Marshall in Kansas and Josh Turek's defeat of Republican incumbent Ashley Hinson in Iowa.
Democrats also captured seats in South Carolina and North Carolina, where former governor Roy Cooper won an open Senate race.
In Ohio, former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown defeated Republican incumbent Jon Husted, while Troy Jackson defeated longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in Maine.
Democrats also retained competitive seats, including in Georgia, where Jon Ossoff won re-election.
The gains in states that have traditionally favored Republicans significantly expanded the party's Senate position. American media identified voter concerns over inflation, the cost of living, government corruption and the Iran war among the factors behind the Republican losses.
When does the new balance of power begin?
The newly elected lawmakers will take office on Jan. 3, 2027, when the 120th Congress convenes.
Until then, Republicans retain their existing majorities in both chambers.
The new congressional majorities will serve two-year terms, with the next elections scheduled for November 2028 alongside the presidential election.
