Democrats projected to flip US House & Senate from Republican control in stunning Trump rebuke

The Democratic Party appears to have secured control over both chambers of Congress after the midterm elections. Following the November 3rd vote, the Republicans held a narrow four-seat majority in the House and a three-seat majority in the Senate. However, sources like NBC News are now projecting that the Democrats will gain a significant majority in both the House and Senate.

As of noon Singapore time, NBC News expected the Democrats to win 252 seats in the Congress, compared to 183 Republican seats, giving them a majority of 69. The Senate projections show at least 51 seats for the Democrats, with several seats yet to be called and at least one, Alaska, still in the counting process. The Democratic victory will give them the authority to set agendas, subpoena witnesses, and control appropriations, making it challenging for the Trump administration to fund its policy initiatives.

Winning control of the Senate will allow the Democrats to scrutinize President Trump’s agenda, but the most crucial impact would be limiting his capacity to appoint Supreme Court justices, particularly if several justices retire or need replacements. The Democrats have held a slim majority in the House for months, but the question was how large the majority would be.

With the Republicans' narrow majority, the more radical factions of the party wielded greater influence over legislation. The sizeable Democratic majority will compel moderate elements of the party to have significant weight in determining the party’s legislative priorities for the upcoming Congress. However, the outlook for the Senate is more cautious.

Typically, around one-third of the Senate's 100 seats are up for election in any major election year, along with any special elections to replace retiring or deceased Senators. Several states, including Texas, Kansas, and South Carolina, where the Republicans won substantial victories in the 2024 presidential election, are considered "safe" for Republicans.

Moreover, being in opposition means that even if the Democrats manage to tie the Senate at 50-50, Vice President Kamala Harris could only break ties for the Republicans. Thus, the Democrats would need to secure at least four seats to gain control of the Senate. Despite the uncertainties, it appears that the Democrats will not only win a majority but potentially a substantial one, though unlikely to exceed the 60 seats required to break the filibuster.

The result is attributed to President Trump's widespread unpopularity due to the rising cost of living and his administration's decision to launch military strikes on Iran despite opposing foreign wars. His party has suffered in the midterm polls.