Democrats are projected to control the Senate in 2027 after picking up seats in Tuesday night’s midterm election.
Decision Desk HQ made the call just after 11 p.m. EST.
With the party also regaining control of the House, the final two years of Donald Trump’s presidency will look much different as the president has already promised to “veto everything.”
Republicans entered the night holding 53 Senate seats while Democrats held 45, plus two independents who normally caucus with them. That majority will now flip to Democrats with the margin still undecided.
Thirty-five Senate seats were up this cycle across the country. Republicans were defending 22 seats, while Democrats were defending 13. The most contentious races to watch were in Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, North Carolina, Maine, and Alaska.
Senate Democrats in control of the upper chamber will significantly change the operation of Washington for the president’s final two years in office. Trump’s most powerful move will become his veto, as Democrats will likely block his Cabinet and judicial nominations, launch investigations, and repeal parts of the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Democrat Senate Leader Chuck Schumer, who will seek another term as leader, has promised to “lower costs for everyday Americans” by lowering rent and housing costs, restore Biden-era clean energy incentives attempting to lower electricity bills, and work to implement universal affordable childcare and health care.
Senate Republicans used their majority during the 119th Congress to rapidly confirm presidential nominations and lifetime appointments, a priority for Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
One of the major accomplishments for Republicans this Congress was the passage of the president’s reconciliation bill, which made the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. They prevented a $4.3 trillion tax increase on Americans, including a $2.6 trillion hike on the middle class.
However, the 119th Republican led Senate failed to pass multiple GOP priorities including the SAVE America Act which would instate mandatory voter ID and proof of citizenship when voting, and a third reconciliation package to fund the war in Iran and farm aid.
The 119th Congress is scheduled to return to Washington next week, with the Senate set to have approximately 22 scheduled days of legislative session before the new Congress is sworn in in January 2027. Republicans announced they will hold leadership elections the week of Nov. 10 in both chambers to determine who will lead the party in the 120th Congress.
Until then, the Senate has less than a month to pass appropriations packages and Pentagon funding in the National Defense Authorization Act. However, the first vote back will be on a bipartisan permitting reform bill, and members are expected to be focused on the Farm Bill where Thune hopes to expand access to E15s.
A previously passed continuing appropriations bill extended federal government funding until December to avoid a government shutdown. To avoid a shutdown again, Congress will have to pass its fiscal 2027 appropriations package or another continuing resolution by Dec. 11. The Sept. 2 continuing-appropriations law funds agencies through Dec. 11, after which an additional appropriations measure or continuing resolution is required to avoid a funding gap.
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[ H/T The Daily Signal ]
