Democrats are shifting from campaign mode to governing mode after the Nov. 3 midterm elections, laying out priorities on costs, health care and oversight ahead of taking control of Congress in January. The outline comes from reports by PBS NewsHour, CBS News and Scripps News, along with analysis from Northeastern University.
Key Highlights
- PBS, CBS and Scripps report that Democrats won both the House and the Senate. Final counts are still changing.
- House Democrats plan a 100-day agenda focused on costs, health care subsidies, Medicaid and tariffs.
- Subpoenas and investigations of the administration are expected after the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3, 2027.
- President Trump has threatened vetoes, and one analyst says Democrats lack the numbers to override them.
What the Election Results Show
PBS NewsHour reported that Democrats won a House majority well past the 218 seats needed and hold at least 54 of 100 Senate seats. Northeastern University said Democrats had secured at least 237 House seats and flipped at least seven Senate seats by Wednesday afternoon.
CBS News cautioned that the final House margin is unclear because several competitive races were still being counted. Readers should treat seat totals as preliminary and check the Associated Press for current counts.
The 100-Day Agenda
According to Northeastern, which cited House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries’ office, the House plan would restore Affordable Care Act subsidies, reverse Medicaid cuts and roll back tariffs. PBS described a push to lower gas and grocery costs. CBS reported that Democrats also want to reverse Medicaid cuts in Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act and extend ACA premium tax credits that expired last year.
“This is a change election, and we understand as House Democrats that we need to deliver dramatic change,” Jeffries said, according to CBS News.
Jeffries announced his bid for speaker on Nov. 4. PBS reported he would become the first Black House speaker if elected when Congress convenes on Jan. 3, 2027. Scripps News said Sen. Chuck Schumer is expected to become Senate majority leader.
Oversight and Investigations
Democrats are also signaling a more aggressive posture toward the administration. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, warned officials to “lawyer up,” and Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, offered a one-word message: “Subpoenas,” PBS reported.
CBS News said subpoena power could be used starting in January to examine the president’s family business dealings, immigration enforcement, the Epstein scandal, pardons and construction projects in Washington. On impeachment, Jeffries said “we haven’t ruled anything out,” CBS reported.
“The days of the House of Representatives functioning as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trump administration are over,” Jeffries told reporters, according to Scripps News. In the Senate, Democrats could confirm or reject Cabinet picks and judges, including any Supreme Court nominee, Scripps noted.
How Trump and Republicans Responded
Trump struck a mixed tone. “I think they’re gonna want to work with me,” he said, adding, “Otherwise I’d just veto everything and they’re not gonna want that,” CBS reported. Speaker Mike Johnson said Republicans “will not be deterred by the outcome of one election.”
Vice President JD Vance blamed the Iran war for Republican losses, writing, “The reason we lost is the war,” PBS reported. Christopher Bosso, a Northeastern University professor emeritus, said Democrats “won’t have sufficient majorities to overcome any Trump vetoes.”
What Could Complicate the Plan
Several hurdles remain. PBS reported that a federal shutdown could occur next month if Congress does not pass a funding bill. CBS noted that some incoming Democrats, including Rep.-elect Melat Kiros of Colorado and Rep.-elect Chris Rabb of Pennsylvania, have not committed to backing Jeffries for speaker.
Northeastern’s Costas Panagopoulos said, “It’s not going to be easy to keep everyone in line,” pointing to differences between moderates and progressives. Jeffries has pointed to a bipartisan housing affordability bill passed in this Congress as a possible model for deals with Republicans, Scripps reported.
What to Watch Next
Both parties will hold internal leadership elections, and the speaker vote comes when the new Congress convenes. The funding deadline will be the first test of how far Democrats and the White House can cooperate. For background on the issues that shaped the vote, see our midterm elections coverage on the economy, gas prices, immigration and abortion.
Watch: Jeffries Speaks After the Midterms
Video: Hakeem Jeffries press conference after the midterms (YouTube).
Sources
- PBS NewsHour: Democrats usher in a new era with their resounding sweep of the House and the Senate
- CBS News: Democrats, retaking House majority, aim to derail Trump’s agenda
- Scripps News: Democratic leaders outline agenda after sweeping Congress in midterms
- Northeastern University: What Democrats Plan to Do With Their New Congressional Majority