President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at the Oncenter, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Matt Burkhartt)
| Photo Credit: Matt Burkhartt
On Tuesday, Americans vote in mid-term elections, halfway through Donald Trump’s second term. Since January 2025, Republicans have controlled both chambers of Congress, though by thin margins. In the House of Representatives, they hold 218 of the 435 seats against 214 for the Democrats, with one independent and two vacancies. In the Senate, the Republicans hold 53 seats to the Democrats’ 45, with two independents caucusing with the Democrats. Polls suggest the Republicans are on the verge of losing both.
House members serve two-year terms, so all 435 seats are up for election. Senators serve staggered six-year terms, with a third renewed every two years. This year, 35 Senate seats are going to polls.
Published – November 02, 2026 08:00 am IST
