Democrats Sweep Both Chambers as Trump’s Grip on Congress Breaks

Voters across the United States headed to the polls on Tuesday in midterm elections that will decide whether President Donald Trump's Republicans keep control of Congress [278459]. Polls began closing in the evening, with the first stations closing at 6pm Eastern Time and most states following over the next several hours [278459]. The elections will decide who controls Congress for the next two years, with all 435 House seats and about a third of the Senate up for grabs [277955][278219].

Democrats were favored to win control of the House of Representatives and were also close to winning the Senate [277995]. A Democratic House would be able to block Trump's agenda and launch investigations into his administration [277995]. Washington was bracing for a major upheaval as poll watchers predicted a Democratic wave that could change Republican control of both chambers [278000].

Voting was disrupted by floods and machine glitches, but was largely free of the problems many had feared [278459]. Americans cast their ballots with rising living costs on their minds, as prices for food, fuel, and housing climbed and many voters said the cost of daily life was their top concern [277955]. Corruption also became a leading concern for voters, second only to the cost of living, according to several polls [278219].

In Texas, voters cast their ballots in a closely watched Senate race, one of the most important contests in the midterm elections, with the outcome set to shape the balance of power in Congress [278540].

Democrats have now won control of both the House and the Senate in a historic midterm result, according to live coverage of the US midterm elections [278526]. Several critical races could have major consequences for Donald Trump's presidency [278526]. Republicans held on to Florida and West Virginia, and Trump has broken his silence on the results [278526].