(Adnkronos) – Democrats gain control of both chambers of the American Congress in the midterm elections. The victory, evident and even unexpectedly large, was attributed to the party by CNN’s Decision Desk, which stated that the Democrats capitalized on President Donald Trump’s strong unpopularity to inflict a heavy defeat on the Republicans. It is only the second time in the last 50 years that control of the House and Senate has changed in the same election cycle. Democrats won seats in traditionally Republican states, prevailing in South Carolina, Texas, Ohio, Kansas, and Iowa. In South Carolina, where Trump had won in 2024 with an 18-point lead, and in Texas, where a Democrat had not won a statewide election since 1994, the party managed to overturn the result. The victory in Kansas marks another turning point: the last Democratic senator from the state had been elected in 1932.
According to CNN’s analysis, the outcome was influenced by inflation, tariffs imposed by Trump, the war with Iran, and voters’ concerns about the president’s conduct and his personal interests. According to CNN’s exit poll, more than six out of ten voters disapprove of Trump’s performance, and about two-thirds believe his policies have worsened the economic situation. Gaining control of both chambers will allow Democrats to exercise greater oversight over the Trump administration, initiating investigations and convening hearings through Congress’s subpoena powers. In the Senate, they will also be able to block the president’s judicial appointments. However, the extent of the majorities remains to be defined: the presidential veto power and the 60-vote threshold required to pass most legislation in the Senate will limit the Democrats’ ability to implement their agenda.
