Explainercongresselections

Seven Fights Coming With A Democratic Congress

Democrats will hold at least 242 House seats and at least 54 Senate seats. Impeachment, Hegseth, and the budget top the list.

By Tommy SantosNovember 4, 2026Supporting Info (36)
  1. L0 The Line
The Question

What changes when Democrats take control of Congress on Jan. 3?

The Answer

Democrats take over the committees that oversee the Pentagon, the Justice Department, and Trump's businesses, with subpoenas that reach the White House. They write the budget, decide his nominees, and hold the power to impeach him. Trump keeps his veto, so the next two years are a contest over what Democrats can block and what they can make him veto.

The Text

"Subpoenas for documents or testimony may be issued to any person or entity, whether governmental, public, or private, within the United States, including, but not limited to, the President, and the Vice President …"

Source: Rules Of The House Of Representatives, One Hundred Nineteenth Congress, Rule XI, clause 2(m)(3)(D). Retrieved 2026-11-04.