Democrats win both chambers of Congress in U.S. midterms

Democrats seized control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the U.S. midterm elections. After winning seats in Republican strongholds such as Texas, Iowa and Kansas, Democrats will hold a majority in Congress for the remaining two years of President Donald Trump's term.

In Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections, the Democratic Party won majorities in both chambers of Congress. The Associated Press (AP) announced that Democrats had regained control of the Senate, while NBC News reported that they had won the House of Representatives.

According to an NBC News projection, Democrats are expected to win about 255 seats in the House of Representatives. A majority requires 218 seats. This could be the party's largest majority in nearly 20 years.

In the Senate, Democrats also won victories in some of the country's most conservative states. In Texas, James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton; the victory marked the first time in more than 30 years that Democrats had won a statewide election in the state. In Kansas, Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Senator Roger Marshall, while in Ohio, Sherrod Brown defeated Senator Jon Husted. Senator Jon Ossoff was reelected in Georgia.

Hakeem Jeffries, expected to become speaker of the House of Representatives (archive)

The results were viewed as a reflection of opposition to high prices, the eight-month war with Iran and allegations of corruption in the administration. The new Congress will take office on January 3. Trump said he would block the Democrats' agenda using his veto power.

Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, is expected to become the first Black speaker of the House of Representatives in U.S. history. Jeffries said his priorities were reversing Medicaid cuts, extending health insurance subsidies, restoring Congress's authority over tariffs and ending the war with Iran.

Have a story, event or announcement of your own?Send us your news on WhatsApp

Spotted an error in this story?Report it on WhatsApp

Share on all social platforms