WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats have taken control of both chambers of Congress, ending Republican control of Capitol Hill and delivering what CBS News described as a widely viewed rebuke of President Donald Trump. CBS projected a Democratic House late Tuesday night and a Democratic Senate shortly afterward, capping an Election Day that reshaped the final two years of Trump's term.

As of early Wednesday morning, about 75 House races were still undetermined and two Senate contests, Alaska and Mississippi, remained too close to call. But the overall verdict was already clear: voters who handed Republicans unified control of Washington just two years ago chose to put a Democratic check on the president.

A Senate Map Rewritten From Texas to Maine

The most stunning results came in the Senate, where Democrats flipped seats in Texas, Kansas, Ohio, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina and Maine, according to CBS News' running coverage, while holding Michigan.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton conceded and said he would pray for his opponent. In Kansas, Adam Hamilton became the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from the state since 1932, telling supporters he is an "independent-minded Democrat." In Maine, Troy Jackson unseated Sen. Susan Collins, who conceded and said it had been the honor of her life to serve Mainers in the Senate.

In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers, a result CBS noted makes him the first Muslim elected to the Senate.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer declared that "against all odds, we Democrats have won the Senate." Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the loss of his majority, noting that Republicans "still have President Trump in the White House." Thune will no longer hold the majority leader post when the new Congress convenes in January.

The House: Iowa, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas Flip

In the House, Democrats gained ground in districts that Republicans had counted on to hold. Democrats won three of Iowa's four seats: Christina Bohannan beat Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Lindsay James beat Joe Mitchell, and Sarah Trone Garriott beat Rep. Zach Nunn. In Pennsylvania, Bob Harvie defeated Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, one of the chamber's last Republicans in a Democratic-leaning suburban seat. In Ohio, Brian Poindexter beat Rep. Max Miller, who had faced domestic-abuse allegations that he denied. In South Texas, Bobby Pulido defeated Rep. Monica De La Cruz.

Still undecided early Wednesday were high-profile contests including those involving Reps. Lauren Boebert in Colorado, David Valadao in California, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez in Washington. Control of the chamber was projected before those races were settled, but the final margin will determine how much room Democrats have to maneuver.

Trump's Reaction: Congratulations and a Veto Warning

President Trump congratulated Democrats and told CBS News he would work with them, while warning that he would use his veto pen liberally. On social media, he insisted that he had not been on the ballot and that Republicans would have won in a landslide if he had been.

The president's standing with voters appeared to be a central factor. Exit polling cited by CBS put Trump's approval rating at 38 percent, a figure that could be a record low for a president in a midterm election. In Maine, 69 percent of voters said Trump's tariffs had hurt the local economy, and Jackson won by a wide margin.

Former President Barack Obama said the American people "sent a clear message." Even Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, weighed in, claiming Americans had said no to war, a reference to the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran that has weighed on gas prices and the national mood.

What Democratic Control Means for Americans

The practical consequences begin immediately. Democratic control of the House brings subpoena power and the ability to launch oversight investigations into the administration. Democratic control of the Senate means the party can block Trump's nominees, including for judicial and cabinet-level posts, and shapes which bills reach the president's desk.

Expect fights over several fronts: government funding deadlines, the cost and direction of the Iran war, tariffs, and immigration enforcement. With Trump signaling liberal use of the veto, divided government could produce gridlock, but it could also force bipartisan bargaining on must-pass legislation.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is widely expected to become Speaker, and Schumer is positioned to return as Senate majority leader. Both will face immediate pressure from their own base to confront the president while avoiding the appearance of obstruction heading into the 2028 cycle.

What Still Isn't Settled

Alaska's Senate race between Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola, and Mississippi's contest between Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democrat Scott Colom, were still uncalled early Wednesday. Alaska's count could take weeks because of absentee ballots and a possible ranked-choice tabulation. Those two races will decide how large the Democratic Senate majority ultimately is.

For now, the message from the electorate is unmistakable. Americans dissatisfied with the direction of the country, high gas prices and an unpopular war chose change, and Washington will operate very differently come January.

Results are based on projections from CBS News and other outlets as of early Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and are subject to change as counting continues.

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