On November 5, the United States not only elects its next president, but also the control of the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate are at stake. These results will be decisive for the new occupant of the White House, whether it be the Democrat Kamala Harris or the Republican Donald Trump.
In the 2022 midterm elections, Democrats lost control of the House but maintained the Senate. Currently, Republicans hold 220 seats out of 435 in the House of Representatives, while Joe Biden's administration has the majority in the Senate with 47 out of 100 seats, plus the support of four progressive-leaning independents.
In this 118th Congress, where there is a record number of 61 Latino or Hispanic members, various proposals in both chambers have been consistently blocked. Congressional cooperation is crucial for the president to carry out his policy initiatives.
Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Institute for Public Affairs and professor of Political Science at Syracuse University, emphasizes that control of Congress by the president’s party is key to turning ideas into real policies. Currently, voting has become less open than in the past, with a narrow gap reflected in the polls.
Democrats lead in mobilization and fundraising, giving them an advantage. However, recent polls suggest a possible historical shift in both chambers, with the House potentially returning to Democratic hands and the Senate to Republicans.
Democrats have the opportunity to gain control of the House of Representatives by winning just four more seats, focusing on states like California, Arizona, Iowa, New York, Nebraska, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. On the other hand, Republicans have options in Montana, West Virginia, and Ohio to maintain control of the Senate.
The November 2026 midterm elections will be another opportunity for American citizens to decide the future of their country, putting the seats of the House of Representatives and a third of the Senate at stake.
