By Islam El-Sakka
Democrats have secured control of both the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, upending the balance of power in Washington and giving Congress an opportunity to reassert its constitutional role as a check on the presidency after two years of Republican deference to President Trump.
Congress Reclaims Constitutional Role
Since Trump's election in 2024 alongside Republican majorities, GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill largely defined their role as empowering the president and blocking Democratic resistance. That dynamic allowed the executive branch to act with near impunity on spending, tariffs, and war powers, steamrolling congressional prerogatives.
Jeffries Vows Accountability
Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the New York Democrat in line to become speaker, declared Wednesday that "the days of the House of Representatives functioning like a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trump administration are over." He pledged to "bring accountability to those who have visited unprecedented corruption on this country," framing the Democratic victories as the start of a "great American comeback."
Oversight and Spending Priorities
With firm control of both chambers, Democrats say they are determined to investigate the administration and push back on executive overreach. The legislative branch is poised to reassert itself notably on spending authority and oversight, areas where Republicans previously ceded ground to the White House.
