Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, in a strong rejection of President Donald Trump that changes the final two years of his term.
The Associated Press called both chambers for Democrats after the party made major gains, including Senate wins in traditionally Republican states such as Texas and South Carolina. Democrats also won the House decisively, with NBC News projecting that the party would hold a majority that could be its largest in nearly two decades. Voter frustration over high prices, the Iran war and concerns about corruption helped drive the results, according to election-night reporting.
The victories will give Democrats control of Congress when the new session begins in January. This will give them a strong check on Trump’s plans. It will also give them more power over laws and Senate confirmations.
Party leaders have signaled they will use this power to investigate the administration. They have also signaled they will increase Congress’s scrutiny of the administration. Trump tried to show the losses were not about him, saying he had not been on the ballot.
He promised to veto legislation backed by Democrats.