Why do the US midterms matter for Trump and Congress?
Summary
The United States midterm elections on November 3 will decide which party controls Congress during President Donald Trump’s final two years. All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are up for grabs, with Democrats favored to win the House and having a chance to gain Senate seats. The election results will impact how laws are made and what policies can be passed.Key Facts
- Midterm elections occur halfway through a president’s term and do not include the presidency on the ballot.
- All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election every two years.
- Democrats are expected to win the majority in the House by possibly gaining up to 15 seats.
- Only 35 of the 100 Senate seats are contested this year due to senators’ six-year staggered terms.
- Democrats have increased chances to win more Senate seats, including ones in traditionally Republican states like Texas and Kansas.
- The Vice President breaks ties in the Senate, so Democrats need 51 seats to control it.
- Passing laws often requires 60 votes in the Senate to overcome the filibuster, a rule that lets minorities delay bills.
- Even if Congress passes a law, the President can veto it, and overriding a veto needs a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
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