The US Midterms, Explained

The United States has just held its midterm elections.

Americans elect a president every four years. Halfway through that term, they vote again for Congress, the part of the US government that makes federal laws, approves government spending and helps keep the president in check.

Congress has two parts. The House of Representatives has 435 voting members, with states receiving more or fewer seats depending on their population. The Senate has 100 members, with each of America’s 50 states receiving two senators.

All 435 House seats are contested every two years, while senators serve six year terms, meaning only around one third of the Senate is normally up for election at a time.

That is where the midterms become important. Americans are not choosing a new president, but they can completely change who the president has to work with. Before this election, President Donald Trump’s Republican Party controlled the White House, the House and the Senate. Democrats have now won control of both parts of Congress.

That gives Democrats powers they did not previously have. They can block legislation, control congressional committees, investigate the Trump administration and through the Senate, approve or reject many senior officials nominated by the president.

But Trump is still president and Congress cannot simply overrule him whenever it wants. He can veto a bill, which means refusing to sign a proposed law passed by Congress. To override that veto and make the bill law anyway, two thirds of both the House and the Senate must vote to do so.

Congress also has the power to impeach a president, which means formally accusing them of serious wrongdoing. The House can approve impeachment with a simple majority vote. The case then moves to the Senate, where two thirds of senators present must vote to convict before a president can be removed from office.

So the midterms did not hand complete control of the US government to Democrats. Instead, they divided power between a Republican president and a Democratic controlled Congress, giving each side important ways to block, challenge and investigate the other.

Congress helps decide how much the US government spends, how much money goes towards the military, where foreign aid is directed, and whether major parts of a president’s agenda can become law. Those decisions can directly affect conflicts already happening around the world.

Let’s take Ukraine. A Democratic controlled Congress could push for more military and financial support for Kyiv and challenge attempts to ease sanctions on Russia. Reuters reported that Democrats are expected to pursue additional aid for Ukraine and resist moves to loosen restrictions on Russian energy.

Then there is Israel. The US provides Israel with billions of dollars in military assistance each year, and Congress has an important role in approving that funding. With Democratic support for Israel becoming more divided, the new Congress could increase scrutiny of weapons transfers, hold hearings, or push to limit some forms of military assistance.

The US-Israel war with Iran is another example. Democrats are expected to use Congress to question the war more aggressively, restrict some defence funding, demand public briefings and potentially push for limits on US military involvement. President Trump still has significant authority over military and foreign policy decisions, so Congress cannot simply end the conflict on its own.

This is why the result matters globally. Congress does not control every decision the United States makes, but it controls money, legislation and oversight, all of which can shape how long wars continue, how much support allies receive and how much freedom a president has to act.

The same principle applies beyond conflict. US decisions on tariffs, sanctions, energy and government spending can move global markets and affect countries that trade with or depend on the United States. So when power shifts in Washington, the consequences can quickly travel far beyond America’s borders.

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Source: Reuters

The “Do Nothing Congress”

The 1946 midterms produced a political earthquake of their own.

Republicans gained 55 House seats and took control of both the House and Senate, ending 15 years of Democratic control of the House. President Harry Truman, a Democrat, suddenly found himself facing an opposition controlled Congress, much like the split government Donald Trump now faces. Then Truman turned that political problem into a campaign weapon.

In 1948, with his reelection prospects looking poor, he called Congress back for a special session and challenged Republicans to pass measures on issues including housing and inflation. When little of his agenda passed, Truman began attacking what he called the “Do Nothing Congress.” The phrase stuck. Months later, Truman won the 1948 Presidential election that many expected him to lose, while Democrats retook both the House and Senate.

Congress
The part of the US federal government responsible for making laws and approving government spending. It is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives
One of the two parts of Congress. It has 435 voting members, with states receiving more seats depending on their population.

Senate
The other part of Congress. It has 100 members, with each of the 50 states receiving two senators.

Veto
When the president refuses to sign a bill passed by Congress into law. Congress can override a veto if two thirds of both the House and Senate vote to do so.

Impeachment
The process of formally accusing a president or another senior official of serious wrongdoing. The House votes on whether to impeach, while the Senate decides whether to convict and remove the person from office.

Divided government
When different political parties control the presidency and at least part of Congress.

Gridlock
When different parts of government cannot agree, making it difficult to pass laws or make major decisions.

Foreign aid
Money, equipment or other assistance one country provides to another.

Sanctions
Restrictions placed on another country, organisation or individual, often involving trade, banking or access to money.

Legislation
A proposed or existing law made by Congress. A bill must pass both the House and the Senate before it can be sent to the president to be signed into law.

Swing
A shift in voter support or seats from one political party to another between elections. A large swing means one party gained significantly at the expense of the other.