Democrats retake Congress in US; Jeffries: "America is back"
After vote counts and exit polls on November 4, 2026, Democrats appeared to reclaim both the Senate and House and vowed new oversight of the presidency.
Democrats celebrated a sweeping victory in the United States congressional elections on November 4, 2026, announcing plans to change Washington’s political course and increase oversight of the presidency. Party leaders said the results reflected voter rejection of extremism and corruption, and one lawmaker already issued a warning to President Donald Trump.
Leadership vows policy shift as majorities flip
"America is back," Hakeem Jeffries declared to cheering supporters after the counting of ballots and exit polls indicated the Democratic Party had regained control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Jeffries said Americans had made clear they were fed up with extremism and corruption and promised that, once Democrats take control of Congress in January, they would work to improve people’s lives.
Senator Chuck Schumer, speaking at a Washington press conference, celebrated the outcome and said the voters had turned their backs on Republicans. "Contrary to all expectations, we, the Democrats, won the Senate," Schumer said, adding, "We listened, they didn't." He told citizens: "Relief is on the way."
According to vote tallies and exit polling reported in the hours after the election, Democrats secured majorities in both chambers. That means Schumer is poised to become Senate majority leader, while Jeffries could make history as the first African American elected Speaker of the House.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly congratulated Jeffries, saying that voters had broken the Republican hold on power in Washington and reestablished congressional oversight of President Donald Trump. Party officials signalled early priorities would include economic relief measures and strengthened accountability mechanisms.
While media tallies and exit polls point to a clear Democratic comeback, final certification of many races will continue in the coming days and weeks. The results set up a new balance of power in Washington when the new Congress convenes in January 2027.
Photo: press material from the event
