Senate and House majorities set up policy showdown with Republican president Supporters of Democratic U.S.
Senate and House majorities set up policy showdown with Republican president Supporters of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico cheer as they watch midterm election returns in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 3. Talarico defeated Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in one of the most closely watched races this election season. © Getty Images WASHINGTON/NEW YORK -- Donald Trump's Republican Party suffered a stinging defeat in the 2026 midterm elections, as the Democratic Party capitalized on widespread voter discontent with the president's policies on inflation, tariffs, AI data centers and the Iran war to win back control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.