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The 2026 Midterms: The Path Forward

Overview

THE OPPORTUNITY

The November 3 midterms gave a new majority control of both chambers of Congress and a clear signal of what voters want: lower costs, affordable health care and a government that answers to them.

Voters across party lines agree on the problems, from prices to corruption, which opens the door to bipartisan wins and to winning back trust that neither party now holds.
THE CHALLENGE

That power came with conditions. Voters were angry, not enthusiastic; only about half view the winning party favorably, and roughly 2 in 10 trust neither party.

A president of the other party holds the veto, prices can be pushed up by forces no bill controls, and voters expect visible results before 2028. A majority that mistakes a protest vote for a blank check will lose it.

The results

Projections as of November 5, 2026. Several races are still being counted.

Measure Result
Senate Democrats at least 54 seats; Alaska and Mississippi still uncalled
House Democratic majority; CBS News estimates 251 to 268 Democratic seats
Senate seats flipped Kansas, Iowa, Texas, Ohio, Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina
Governors Democrats flipped several offices, including Texas

What it means

1     Prices decide everything. About 9 in 10 voters called the cost of living a crucial or major factor. Every program must show up on a household bill.

2     Accountability is a cost issue too. More than half called corruption crucial to their vote, slightly more than those who mentioned the cost of living.

3     The mandate is conditional. About 4 in 10 voted to oppose the president, but few voted for a party platform. Loyalty must be earned through delivery.

4     Shared ground exists. The economy, immigration and crime matter to voters in both parties, which is where bipartisan votes can be found.

Our response: seven key actions

Theme Program Visible results in
Affordability Kitchen Table Relief Package 6 to 12 months
American Dream Build and Care Initiative 12 to 36 months
Health Care Health Cost Guarantee 6 to 18 months
Corruption and Accountability Clean Government and Accountability Act 3 to 9 months
Immigration Secure and Fair Border Compact 12 to 24 months
AI Issues Fair Share Grid and Worker Shield 6 to 18 months
Public Safety Safe and Trusted Communities 12 to 24 months

Design options

The new majority faces important choices about how to use its power.

Option What it means Trade-off
Focused delivery (recommended) Pick a few nameable wins on prices and ethics, pass them fast and report results publicly. Builds trust quickly; leaves some priorities waiting.
Broad agenda Move on every priority at once through large packages. Speaks to the whole coalition; risks stalling and veto fights with little to show by 2028.
Bipartisan governing coalition Build each bill around measures that draw Republican votes. Harder to veto and more durable; slower and less satisfying to the base.

Success metrics

These key measures will show whether the majority is meeting the conditions voters set.

Measure Baseline Target
Voters reporting inflation hardship About 8 in 10 Clear decline by fall 2028
Congressional approval 14% Measurable rise
Voters who trust neither party on core issues About 2 in 10 Falling
Nameable wins passed in the first 100 days None At least two
Public scorecard published on schedule None Every quarter

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