Midterm results shift power as Iran war debate shapes new Congress

The war with Iran has emerged as a defining issue in the 2026 midterm elections, with the conflict's cost and conduct shaping voter sentiment across the country. As results were tallied through early Tuesday, it became clear that the election outcome would directly influence the political oversight of the ongoing military engagements. The conflict, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has described as historic in its accomplishments, was central to the campaigns of many candidates in both parties.

Democrats secured majorities in both the U.S. House and the Senate following the November 3 elections. According to Ballotpedia, Democrats picked up at least 43 House seats and seven Senate seats, all previously held by Republicans. With results reported as of 4 p.m. ET on November 6, Democrats hold at least a 250-157 majority in the House and a 54-44 majority in the Senate. This shift in power places the party that heavily criticized the war in a position to lead oversight efforts in the new Congress.

Republicans, who had led both chambers before the election, suffered a net loss of at least seven Senate seats. Ballotpedia noted that this loss places the election in the top 20% of election years in terms of seat swings against a president's party, a threshold often defined as a wave election. The party's net loss of 42 House seats was close to the 48 seats needed to qualify as a wave, though some races remained uncalled. This significant loss reflects a broad voter reaction to the administration's handling of foreign policy and domestic issues.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, moved immediately after the House opened for its first session following the midterms to force a vote to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The resolution largely focuses on the war in Iran, while also referencing military actions in Yemen and Venezuela. Massie stated that the secretary's actions amount to high crimes and misdemeanors and that his leadership at the Pentagon warrants impeachment. This move sets the stage for a dramatic vote in the House, potentially by mid-week.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, had tried to prevent the impeachment vote, warning lawmakers against impeaching the Defense secretary while the U.S. is engaged in military actions in the Middle East. Johnson described the move as a terrible look for allies and enemies and argued against impeaching Cabinet secretaries for political gain. He stated that the move feels like a cheap trick that everyone knows. Most House Democrats are expected to support the impeachment, with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries saying over the weekend that it is time for the Defense secretary to go.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintains that he is eager to litigate the military actions taken against Iran, Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, and Venezuela's previous leaders. He told reporters on Monday that if lawmakers take issue with the operations, known by the code names Epic Fury and Rough Rider, they are taking issue with the troops and what they accomplished. Hegseth announced that he would hold a rare news conference on Tuesday, his first in over 180 days, to defend his record against the impeachment threat. He described the military achievements as historic.

The election results also saw Democrats win a majority of governorships for the first time since before the 2010 elections. They won a plurality of state government trifectas and state legislative chambers. This broader sweep of power allows Democrats to coordinate their opposition to the administration's policies across multiple levels of government. The party's control of the House and Senate provides the procedural tools necessary to initiate investigations and control the budget, which are key levers for influencing the continuation of the Iran war.

Democrats in Congress are preparing to use their new majorities to flex their power in opposition to President Donald Trump's marquee policies. While the education agenda is a prominent target, with plans to investigate the dismantling of the U.S. Education Department, the Iran war remains a significant area of focus. Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, who will lead the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said he plans to leave no rock unturned in his panel's investigative powers. This approach suggests a broader strategy of using oversight to scrutinize the administration's actions, including those related to the war.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts called on Democrats to hold the administration accountable for its policies, including those affecting students and national security. Trump officials have denounced the Democrats' plans, with White House spokesperson Liz Huston accusing them of failing American students with disastrous leadership before the president returned to office. The new congressional majority allows Democrats to challenge these narratives and push for a different direction in foreign and domestic policy, with the Iran war serving as a primary point of contention.

The outcome of the election means that the House will have a Democratic majority until the new Congress convenes in January, at which point Democrats will be in full control of both chambers. If the House votes to impeach Hegseth, the matter would next go to the Senate for a potential trial. Republicans remain in the majority in both chambers until January, but the shift in power signals a significant change in the political landscape. The war with Iran will likely remain a central issue as the new Congress begins its work, with Democrats poised to lead the oversight and Republicans defending the administration's record.

The election results highlight the growing importance of foreign policy in domestic elections. The conflict in Iran, which has involved significant military resources and political capital, has become a key factor in determining which party controls the legislative branch. The new Democratic majority in both chambers provides a check on the executive branch's ability to conduct war without congressional approval. This dynamic will shape the future of the Iran war and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East for the coming years.