Democrats Projected to Take House and Senate

Democrats have won control of the Senate and reached the 218-seat threshold needed for a majority in the House, according to election projections, ending unified Republican control of Congress. The projected results leave the final House composition unsettled as ballots continue to be counted in some races. The Associated Press projected early Wednesday that Democrats had secured at least 218 House seats, the minimum needed for a majority. The party’s Senate victory had been projected earlier Tuesday. Reports gave differing interim Senate totals, but placed Democrats above the 50 seats needed for control. Certified final totals were not yet available. The change will take effect when the 120th Congress convenes on January 3, 2027. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to seek the speakership, but members must formally choose the speaker. Democrats are also set to lead House and Senate committees, giving them control over committee agendas and oversight activity. A Democratic House majority would give the party authority over the chamber’s legislative schedule and committee leadership. Democratic lawmakers have signaled they intend to investigate the Trump...