Democrats have won control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate in Tuesday's midterm elections, according to Associated Press reporting and ABC's AP-fed results page.

The outcome means President Donald Trump will face an opposition-controlled Congress for the remaining two years of his presidency. Democratic majorities will gain leverage over legislation, congressional investigations and Senate consideration of presidential appointments.

The Senate gains extend well beyond the usual battlegrounds. AP called Texas for James Talarico, Kansas for Adam Hamilton and South Carolina for Annie Andrews. ABC's results summary also lists Democratic flips in North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa and Maine.

A called majority is not a final count

Control of Congress has been called, but that does not mean every contest has been decided or every ballot counted. This report does not give a final seat total or national vote margin.

AP distinguishes its race calls from projections: it declares a winner when its analysts conclude that trailing candidates have no remaining path to victory. Those newsroom decisions are separate from the official canvassing and certification performed by election authorities.

For Canadian readers, a change in congressional control is an important development to watch in Washington. It does not, by itself, announce a new tariff policy or a Canada–U.S. trade agreement.

Accompanying image: editorial illustration.

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