US Midterms 2026: Why Trump’s power is at stake as Iran war, economy weigh on voters | Explained | Today’s news

US Midterms 2026: Voters in America will go to the polls on November 3 to elect a third of the US Senate and all members of the House of Representatives in the so-called midterm elections.

The Republicans they currently hold majorities in both houses of Congress. According to Bruce Stokes, Associate Fellow, US and North America Program at the British think tank Chatham House, but their prospects for maintaining that control look increasingly grim.

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Republicans’ chances were dragged down Near-record low public ratings for President Donald Trump and voter dissatisfaction with his handling of the Iran war and the economy, among other issues, Stokes wrote.

“Democrats seem ready take advantage, with most pundits suggesting they will regain control of at least the House of Representatives.”

MADISON, WISCONSIN – AUGUST 11: A sign marks the location of a polling place as residents vote in the state’s primary election on August 11, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin. Recent polls have Hong with a substantial lead over his closest Democratic rival, David Crowley. Wisconsin’s primary election is being closely watched by both major political parties nationally to see where voters are headed ahead of November’s midterm elections. Scott Olson/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

The midterms will essentially not decide who occupies the White House. Trump remains president, but upcoming polls could determine how much room he has to legislate, spend, appoint and operate without opposition from Congress.

Here’s what you need to know about midterms.

What are mid-term general elections?

The midterm general elections are about Congress. While presidential general elections are held every four years, mid-term elections are held every two years.

A ‘general’ election essentially means that it is an election held in all states and territories at the same time. While the midterm primaries were held earlier in the year and determined the candidates, the midterm general election is held on the second Tuesday in November, just as the presidential election is every 4 years. This year, the election will be held on November 3.

Congress is The legislative branch of the US governmentwhich consists of 435 members of the Chamber of Deputies and 100 senators. Congress provides checks and balances to the executive branch of government, headed by the president and vice president. A change in the composition of Congress can cause a dramatic power shift in the functioning of the administration.

Why are midterms important this time?

Midterm elections give American voters the opportunity to decide which party controls both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Midterms are held midway through a presidential term to allow voters to express their approval or disapproval of current administration performance.

Midterms are a showdown between our two major parties – Democratic and Republican. This election can be just as heated as the presidential one race because of what is at stake. That winning side will gain control of the legislature, which has the power to make laws, declare war, and much more.

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The party represented by the president hopes to win a majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the midterms. It will facilitate the passage of the President’s legislative program by Congress.

Midterm elections come at a very critical time, not just in the US, but around the world. The US is involved in a war with Iran. The war began after the US and Israel launched in early February.

The war had far-reaching consequences, affecting not only Washington, but also the economies of the entire world. Despite US President Donald Trump assuring Americans that the country will remain protected from the effects of war, the US economy is now feeling the effects, with petrol prices reaching record highs.

Who goes to the polls?

All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives are up for grabs, as House members are elected to two-year terms.

Also, 35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for election this fall. US senators are elected to six-year terms

There are 2 senators from each state, and because of staggered terms, senators from the same state are never elected in the same year. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives will also be up for election, as these members serve for 2 years.

The number of state representatives determines the number of its representatives.

What does history say?

Democrats are generally excited about their prospects in the midterms, and Republicans are a little worried, according to CBS.

History gives Republicans plenty of reason to worry. The party of the incumbent president has suffered a net loss of seats in Congress in all but two terms since the 1930s. The only exceptions were Bill Clinton (1998) and George W. Bush (2002), both of whom had sky-high ratings.

Trump’s popularity is clearly not good news for Republicans.

What’s at stake?

Republicans currently hold a narrow majority in the 435-member House of Representatives. Democrats will need at least 218 seats to control the House, which gives the party the ability to appoint committee chairs and set the legislative agenda. They currently have 212 seats.

Election analysts estimate that only about 21 House seats are close contests or “tossups.” Still, most pundits predict Democrats will win between 220 and 230 seats overall — a relatively comfortable majority, according to Chatham House

Democrats need to flip just four districts to take control of the House (if they keep all their current seats), CBS reports. Democrats also only need to pick up four Republican states to gain control of the Senate.

But that’s a tougher task than flipping the House because there are far fewer Senate seats up for election and each one requires a statewide victory, the report said.

How does Trump account for this?

Trump is not on the ballot in the midterms. But it cannot be ignored.

President Trump just hit a record low not seen in more than three decades, according to a new Wall Street Journal poll. A Wall Street Journal poll showed Trump’s approval rating at 37%, the lowest of any president heading into a midterm election since at least 1990. Another 61% of voters disapproved of Trump, according to the poll.

Only one president since 1950 has headed into the midterms with an approval rating below 40 percent: George W. Bush in 2006 (to 37 percent), when his Republicans lost 30 seats in the House and six in the Senate.

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Despite his low poll numbers, Trump is promising to make “a lot of speeches” in tight races to help Republican candidates. Some of those candidates are quietly asking the White House to keep him around, Politico reports

GASTONIA, NORTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 16: U.S. President Donald Trump greets supporters before speaking at a campaign rally with North Carolina Republican Senate candidate former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley at Gastonia Municipal Airport on September 16, 2026 in Gastonia, North Carolina. Whatley, currently trailing in the polls, will face Democratic Senate candidate former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper in the Nov. 3 election.(Getty Images via AFP)

Trump has announced a 32-day campaign ahead of the Nov. 3 election in which he specifically seeks to help Republicans retain Congress. The outcome will shape the legislative environment for his final two years in office

What are the key issues?

According to multiple media reports, the biggest concern among voters right now is the cost of living.

Whether it is gas prices driven up by the US-Iranian war or consumer Goods prices rise due to Trump tariffs, wallet woes dominate preliminary polls, CBS reported.

Turnout in midterms is always lower than in presidential election years, so each party will be looking for ways to motivate their base. For Democrats, the driving force could be the weakening of Trump’s power. For Republicans, the key ad message is stoking fear of what a Democratic-controlled Congress would do to the economy.

“Ultimately, the key factor will likely be turnout, which is historically lower in midterms than in presidential elections. Which party is better at mobilizing its voters to show up on Election Day will ultimately determine the outcome,” Stokes wrote.

What are the key races?

Of the 35 Senate seats up for election this time, fewer than 10 are considered at risk of flipping by campaign analysts, CBS reported.

Republicans are seen as most vulnerable in North Carolina and Maine, but polls suggest they also have a hard time holding onto Senate seats in Ohio, Alaska, Iowa and even Texas, where no Democrat has won a statewide election since 1988.

The Democrats’ biggest problems appear to be in Senate races in Michigan and New Hampshire, CBS reports.

What’s at stake for President Trump?

Control of Congress: Trump currently rules with Republican majorities in both chambers. Keeping both would preserve a much easier path for his administration to pass the legislation. Losing either chamber would make it much more difficult.

Legislative Agenda: Congress is critical to taxes, spending, government funding, and the debt ceiling. For example, the Democratic-controlled House could block Republican efforts to use budget reconciliation for new tax and spending measures.

Investigations and Oversight: If Democrats win control of the House, they could use congressional committees to investigate the Trump administration and demand documents and testimony.

Senate power: Senate control is particularly important to Trump’s judicial and executive appointments because the Senate confirms presidential nominees.

Read also | US-Iran war LIVE: JPMorgan says Middle East oil flows at 98% of pre-war levels

Funding the Government: Even a House majority can affect federal spending because Congress controls appropriations. Government funding and future debt ceiling negotiations could therefore become major points of confrontation.

Verdict on the Trump presidency: Midterms are not presidential elections, but the position of the president often influences voter behavior. Historically, as mentioned above, the US President’s party has typically lost House seats in midterm elections.

Can Trump be removed if Republicans lose?

Trump is not on the ballot in the midterms. A Republican defeat in one or both chambers will not result in the impeachment of the US president.

Despite his low poll numbers, Trump is promising to make “a lot of speeches” in tight races to help Republican candidates.

However, if Democrats were to secure victory in the House of Representatives, they would have the authority to conduct an investigation and potentially begin impeachment against Trump.

(With CBS agency and inputs)