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Live Midterm Election Coverage: The Fight for Congress
Dems seize House in crushing blow to Trump as 'lame duck era' begins

Volunteers applaud as US House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries gives a thumbs up at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) midterm election night phone bank and watch party at a hotel in Washington, DC, US, November 3, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Dems seize House in crushing blow to Trump as 'lame duck era' begins

Voters dealt President Donald Trump a major blow Tuesday, handing Democrats a powerful new check on his agenda for the next two years.

Democrats clinched the majority in the House of Representatives on Tuesday night, Decision Desk HQ, CNN and NBC News projected.

“This is the beginning of Donald Trump’s lame duck portion of his term,” declared CNN anchor Dana Bash. “It’s the lame duck era.”

Democrats are projected to win at least 225 seats once all races are counted, against a minimum of 160 for Republicans, according to CNBC’s Election Desk. A party needs 218 seats to control the chamber. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is positioned to become speaker in the next Congress.

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