US midterm elections: Democrats hope to win control of Congress
US voters are electing members of Congress in midterm elections today. Forecasts suggest President Donald Trump's Republican Party could lose its majority in both chambers.
Voters across the United States are going to the polls today in midterm elections to choose members of Congress, the country's national legislature. Political experts forecast that President Donald Trump's Republican Party could lose its current majority in both chambers. That would make it harder for his administration to govern in the two years left before the next presidential election. Many see the vote as a kind of referendum on Trump's policies.
What is at stake
Americans are electing all 435 members of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber, and 35 of the 100 members of the Senate, the upper chamber. Gubernatorial elections are being held in 36 states, and voters are also choosing more than six thousand state legislators, according to Deutsche Welle.
The House currently has 218 Republicans, 214 Democrats and one independent who usually votes with the Republicans; two seats are vacant. The Senate has 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents who usually back the Democrats. In a 50–50 Senate tie, the vote is decided by the vice president, Republican J. D. Vance.
Campaign and mood
Associated Press reports that groups backing Trump have spent almost $277 million on campaigns since September, which may make these the most expensive midterms in US history. The agency says the money may still not be enough. Criticism has focused on tariffs on imported goods, a trade war with Canada, and the war against Iran, which has lasted eight months although Trump promised to end it within weeks.
BBC notes that voters traditionally "punish" the president's party in midterms. Polls compiled in early October showed about 37% approval for Trump, with 61% dissatisfied with his work. Many voters are worried about high prices for fuel, housing, healthcare and everyday goods. Barack Obama, the former Democratic president, said at a rally in Ohio that the Trump administration is directly to blame for rising prices.
Races to watch
In Texas, polls show similar support for Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton in the Senate race, although no Democrat has won statewide there since 1994. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms could become the first Black woman to serve as a state governor in US history.
What it could mean
If Democrats take one or both chambers, they could use congressional committees to investigate Trump's conduct and make it harder to pass his legislation. If Republicans keep control, Trump will be able to pursue his policies largely unimpeded for the rest of his term.
