Democrats are projected to take control of the US House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). The projection marks a major political setback for President Donald Trump and his Republican Party, which entered the election with a narrow majority in the chamber.
The projection was reported by several media outlets, citing DDHQ’s election analysis. It indicates that Democrats have gained enough seats to cross the 218-seat threshold required for a House majority. However, the projection should not be confused with the final, officially certified result.
Before the election, Republicans held 219 seats, including an independent member who generally votes with them. Democrats had 214 seats, while two seats were vacant. This meant Democrats needed a net gain of just three seats to take control of the chamber.
A Democratic majority in the House could make it harder for Trump to pass his legislative agenda. The party would gain greater influence over House committees, legislation and congressional investigations. It could also increase scrutiny of the administration’s decisions. However, Democrats would still need support in the Senate to pass most legislation through Congress.
The battle for the Senate remains separate, and no final decision on its control had been confirmed in the reports available at the time of writing. Republicans held a 53-47 advantage before the election, including two independents aligned with Democrats.
The final House seat count and the Senate outcome will become clearer as more votes are counted and election projections are confirmed.
