Democrats win Congress as voters punish Trump over tariffs and living costs

Democrats won control of both houses of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a major defeat to President Donald Trump. Voters cited cost-of-living pressures and the impact of his tariff policies as decisive factors in rejecting Republican candidates. Democrats lead 54-44 in the Senate and hold a 240-147 advantage in the House, with some races still uncounted. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 48 percent of voters named cost of living as their top issue, while 49 percent said their household finances had worsened since Trump took office in January 2025. Research from the Kiel Institute showed American consumers absorbed about 96 percent of tariff costs, including duties on Indian goods that reached 50 percent. Republican Senator Ted Cruz acknowledged the party failed to persuade voters the economy was working, with groceries, fuel, and insurance topping voter concerns.