Saturday, November 14, 2026 Vol. I · No. 25 · Late Edition Print size
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The Wire
Judge blocks Trump from closing East Potomac Park golf course for now Trump asks Supreme Court to curb judges' power to void unlawful rules nationwide On tape: Richard Blumenthal says the Trump administration let $190 million in anti-human trafficking grants lapse On tape: Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican, on the House floor: the president never asked Congress before sending troops… Massie to force new House vote to end Trump's Iran war before he leaves in January Over 200 Democrats ask appeals court to strike down VA's abortion ban for veterans Kushner says U.S. is brokering Europe-Russia talks and planning next Ukraine round Blumenthal says Lutnick 'must go' over stalled Nvidia chip blacklist for Megaspeed NBC says Democrat Mary Peltola likely to beat Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska On tape: Hakeem Jeffries: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could face Intel Committee subpoenas over Nvidia scandal Judge blocks Trump from closing East Potomac Park golf course for now Trump asks Supreme Court to curb judges' power to void unlawful rules nationwide On tape: Richard Blumenthal says the Trump administration let $190 million in anti-human trafficking grants lapse On tape: Rep. Chip Roy, a Republican, on the House floor: the president never asked Congress before sending troops… Massie to force new House vote to end Trump's Iran war before he leaves in January Over 200 Democrats ask appeals court to strike down VA's abortion ban for veterans Kushner says U.S. is brokering Europe-Russia talks and planning next Ukraine round Blumenthal says Lutnick 'must go' over stalled Nvidia chip blacklist for Megaspeed NBC says Democrat Mary Peltola likely to beat Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska On tape: Hakeem Jeffries: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could face Intel Committee subpoenas over Nvidia scandal

White House Watch

The new Congress: who runs what from January

Democrats won majorities in both the House and the Senate on November 3, ending Republican control of Congress when the new term begins in January. A plain guide to the numbers, the leaders, the committee chairs and what a majority can and cannot do. Checked Nov. 13, 2026.

The House

Republican now, Democratic from January 3 · Democrats went from 214 seats to at least 256, with 11 races uncalled; the AP count includes 45 seats flipped from Republican to Democratic 1 3

The Congress just elected

AP count as reported by Yahoo News on 2026-11-13: 256 Democratic seats and 11 races uncalled, including two Louisiana runoffs on December 12. The report does not print a Republican total; 168 is what remains of 435. 1

The Congress it replaces

As of election day, per Wikipedia's election page, which names two vacancies (Florida 20 and Texas 23). The page's figures leave one more seat unaccounted for. 3

D Democrats R Republicans I independents. The mark is the 218 seats a majority needs.

The Senate

Republican now, Democratic from January 3 · Democrats flipped eight Republican seats: Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas; a win in Alaska would make nine 1 4

The Congress just elected

As of 2026-11-13: at least 55 seats for the Democratic caucus (53 Democrats and 2 independents), Alaska uncalled. 1 4 11

The Congress it replaces

As of election day; the two independents sit with the Democrats. 4

D Democrats R Republicans I independents. The mark is the 51 seats a majority needs.

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections. In the House, the Associated Press count stood at 256 Democratic seats on November 13, with 11 races not yet called; 218 seats make a majority 1. The AP reported two days earlier that this is the largest Democratic House majority since 2008 2. Before the election, Republicans held 218 seats and Democrats 214 3.

In the Senate, Democrats have won at least 55 seats, counting two independents who sit with them, and flipped eight Republican seats 1 4. Republicans held 53 seats before the election 4. One race, in Alaska, is not called; the state begins its ranked-choice count on November 18 1 2. Republicans keep control of both chambers until the new Congress meets in January 23.

The parties are now choosing leaders. House Republicans elected Jim Jordan of Ohio as their leader on November 10, by 106 votes to 73 over Steve Scalise 6. House Democrats vote on November 18; Hakeem Jeffries of New York is seeking the Speaker's post and no challenger has come forward 9 8. In the Senate, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland announced on November 12 that he is running against Chuck Schumer for Democratic leader; that vote is expected in early December 10 11.

Committee chairs change with the majority. The senior Democrat on each committee is usually next in line, but neither caucus has voted on chairs yet 16 17. Democrats in line to lead the House Oversight, Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees have said they plan investigations of the Trump administration 14 15. Before any of that, the outgoing Congress must fund the government by December 11 23.

The leaders

Party caucuses choose their leaders; the whole House elects the Speaker on January 3. A name that is a link opens that person's full file.

PostWhoWhere it stands
SpeakerHouseD Hakeem JeffriesNYrunning Jeffries told House Democrats by letter on November 4 that he wants to be Speaker; the caucus votes by secret ballot on November 18 and the full House votes when the new Congress meets, where he needs 218 votes. No challenger has come forward. 7 9 8
Majority LeaderHouseD Katherine ClarkMAexpected The AP reports Clark, now the Democratic whip, is expected to become majority leader; she would be the first woman in the post. 6 8
Majority WhipHouseD Pete AguilarCAexpected The AP reports Aguilar, now chair of the Democratic caucus, is expected to become majority whip. 7
Minority LeaderHouseR Jim JordanOHelected House Republicans elected Jordan on November 10 by 106 votes to 73 over Steve Scalise of Louisiana; Speaker Mike Johnson did not run for a leadership post. 6
Minority WhipHouseR Tom EmmerMNelected Emmer won the number two Republican post on November 10 over August Pfluger of Texas. 6
Republican Conference ChairHouseR Lisa McClainMIelected McClain was reelected to the number three Republican post on November 10. 6
Majority LeaderSenateD Chuck SchumerNYrunning Schumer, the Democratic leader since 2017, has said he has the votes to stay on; Senate Democrats are expected to vote by secret ballot in early December. 10 11
Majority Leader (challenger)SenateD Chris Van HollenMDrunning Van Hollen announced on November 12 that he is challenging Schumer and has said he has at least 10 senators behind him; the winner needs 28 or 29 votes, depending on Alaska. 10 11
Majority WhipSenateD Brian SchatzHIrunning Schatz entered the race to succeed the retiring Dick Durbin as Democratic whip in 2025; no report of a post-election vote or a rival was found. 12
Minority LeaderSenateR John ThuneSDelected Senate Republicans held their leadership vote on November 10 and Thune stays on as the top Republican. 11
Minority WhipSenateR John BarrassoWYexpected Wikipedia's page for the 120th Congress lists Barrasso as minority whip; a news report of the vote could not be opened. 13

The committee chairs

Committees are where subpoenas are issued and bills are written. “In line” means the senior member of the incoming majority, who usually gets the chair; it is not final until the caucus votes.

House

  1. Oversight and Government ReformThe House's main investigating committee; it can look into any part of government.

    R James Comer then D Robert Garcia CA in line

    Garcia has named as priorities the Trump family's business dealings, the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, immigration enforcement operations and the health department under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 15 He has also written that he would look at secret political money, stock trading by members of Congress and the movement of officials into lobbying jobs. 14

  2. JudiciaryOversees the Justice Department and courts; impeachment articles start here.

    R Jim Jordan then D Jamie Raskin MD in line

    Raskin has said he wants to move quickly on corruption that has cost the public money, and he leads the Democratic push to examine ties between Jeffrey Epstein and powerful figures, including the President. 15 14 He has said the Department of Government Efficiency deserves scrutiny and that at least one committee is likely to investigate it. 9

  3. Ways and MeansWrites tax, tariff, Social Security and Medicare law.

    R Jason Smith then D Richard Neal MA in line

  4. AppropriationsWrites the yearly spending bills that fund the government.

    R Tom Cole then D Rosa DeLauro CT in line

  5. Energy and CommerceCovers health care, energy, telecommunications and consumer protection.

    R Brett Guthrie then D Frank Pallone NJ in line

    A law firm's review of Democratic statements lists the administration's energy deals, pricing based on personal data, mergers, media ownership, data centers and health care as expected subjects. 16

  6. Armed ServicesOversees the Pentagon and writes the yearly defense bill.

    R Mike Rogers then D Adam Smith WA in line

  7. Foreign AffairsOversees the State Department, foreign aid and war powers.

    R Brian Mast then D Gregory Meeks NY in line

    Meeks has said he plans to examine the President's international dealings, including those around the Iran war, and the administration's operations in Venezuela. 15

  8. IntelligenceOversees the CIA and the other intelligence agencies.

    R Rick Crawford then D Jim Himes CT in line

  9. Financial ServicesOversees banks, Wall Street, housing finance and the Federal Reserve.

    R French Hill then D Maxine Waters CA contested

    A law firm's review describes Waters as the favorite over challengers Sean Casten and Bill Foster, and lists consumer protection, the independence of regulators and the financial activities of the President and his associates as expected subjects. 16

  10. BudgetWrites the yearly budget plan that sets spending and tax targets.

    R Jodey Arrington then D Brendan Boyle PA in line

  11. Homeland SecurityOversees the Department of Homeland Security, including border and immigration agencies.

    R Andrew Garbarino then D Bennie Thompson MS in line

  12. Education and WorkforceCovers schools, colleges, student loans and workplace law.

    R Tim Walberg then D Bobby Scott VA contested

    A law firm's review reports that Scott faces challenges from Jahana Hayes and Suzanne Bonamici, and lists workers' rights, college costs and the labor board as expected subjects. 16

  13. Veterans' AffairsOversees the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans' benefits.

    R Mike Bost then D Mark Takano CA in line

  14. RulesDecides which bills reach the House floor and how they are debated.

    R Virginia Foxx then D Jim McGovern MA in line

  15. Natural ResourcesOversees public lands, national parks, mining and drilling.

    R Bruce Westerman then D Jared Huffman CA in line

    Huffman has said he plans to call witnesses under oath on the tearing down of the White House East Wing for a ballroom and on the Trump family's part in minerals deals. 15

Senate

  1. JudiciaryHandles judges, Justice Department nominees and oversight of the department.

    R Chuck Grassley then D Sheldon Whitehouse RI in line

    Whitehouse is expected to succeed the retiring Dick Durbin as the committee's top Democrat and has been meeting monthly with Jamie Raskin to coordinate oversight plans. 16 18

  2. FinanceWrites tax, trade, Medicare and Medicaid law.

    R Mike Crapo then D Ron Wyden OR in line

    A law firm's review lists offshore tax shelters, tariffs and exemptions from them, and health care costs as expected subjects. 16

  3. Health, Education, Labor and PensionsCovers health agencies, drug prices, schools and labor law.

    R Bill Cassidy then I Bernie Sanders VT in line

    A law firm's review lists prescription drug prices, health insurance costs and labor rights as expected subjects. 16

  4. Banking, Housing, and Urban AffairsOversees banks, financial regulators and housing programs.

    R Tim Scott then D Elizabeth Warren MA in line

    A law firm's review lists the Trump family's cryptocurrency businesses, bank mergers and housing costs as expected subjects. 16

  5. Armed ServicesOversees the Pentagon and confirms senior military and defense officials.

    R Roger Wicker then D Jack Reed RI in line

    Reed has said he plans more hearings, including on the war in Iran, and to hold Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to account. 18

  6. AppropriationsWrites the Senate's versions of the yearly spending bills.

    R Susan Collins then D Patty Murray WA in line

  7. Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsThe Senate's main government oversight committee, with a standing investigations panel.

    R Rand Paul then D Maggie Hassan NH in line

    Hassan is expected to succeed the retiring Gary Peters as top Democrat. Richard Blumenthal, expected to chair its investigations panel, is reported to be looking at Elon Musk's companies, donors to the White House ballroom and cryptocurrency firms. 16

What comes first

What the leaders have said on the record they will do. Plans, not predictions.

  1. Jeffries said before the election that House Democrats would start with votes to bring back the Affordable Care Act tax credits that expired in 2025 and to reverse Republican cuts to Medicaid. Democrats said they expect to begin in the first 100 hours of the new Congress. 21

  2. Jeffries also named votes against the Iran war and measures to undo the President's tariffs as early priorities. 21

  3. Jeffries asked the top Democrats on the Oversight and Judiciary committees to prepare investigations of the President, his family and his administration. 21 Subjects Democrats have named include the Epstein files, Trump family business interests, immigration enforcement, the health department and the cost of the Iran war. 14 15

  4. Jeffries has said impeachment is neither ruled in nor ruled out. 21 The AP has reported that Democrats are more likely to aim at Cabinet members than at the President, who was impeached twice in his first term and acquitted by the Senate both times. 15

  5. A resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, brought by Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky, was expected to come up early in the year-end session; Jeffries said he would vote yes. 22

  6. The current funding law runs out on December 11, while Republicans still control both chambers. 23 Van Hollen has argued that Democrats should use that deadline to press the administration over the Iran war. 10

  7. The yearly defense bill is stalled over Democratic demands to cut Iran war funding, and Senate Republicans are under pressure to confirm the President's judicial nominees before they lose the majority. 22

  8. Van Hollen's challenge to Schumer is the first contested race for Senate Democratic leader in decades, by Wikipedia's count the first since 1994. Senators-elect vote too, and several have said they will not back Schumer. 11 31 10

  9. The federal borrowing limit is $41.1 trillion. Bank of America analysts estimate it will be reached as early as February 2027 and that the Treasury could run short of money to pay its bills in November 2027, so the new Congress would have to act. 25

What a majority can and cannot do

Can the new House remove the President?

No, not by itself. The House can impeach, which means bring charges, by a simple majority. Removal takes a trial in the Senate and the votes of two-thirds of the senators present. 26

Can Democrats pass laws over the President's objection?

Only with Republican help. The President can veto any bill, and it takes a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate to override a veto. 27 Democrats will hold 256 or more of 435 House seats and 55 or 56 of 100 Senate seats, short of two-thirds in each. 1

Can the Senate majority pass any bill it wants?

Not usually. Under Senate rules a bill can be held up by extended debate, called a filibuster, and it takes 60 senators to end that debate. 28 Democrats will have 55 or 56. 11

Who decides on the President's nominees?

The Senate alone. The Constitution says the President appoints judges, ambassadors and other senior officials with the advice and consent of the Senate; the House has no vote. 29

Can committees force officials to testify or hand over records?

Committees can issue subpoenas, which are legal orders to testify or produce documents. In the House, most committees let the chair issue one; in the Senate, the chair usually needs the agreement of the senior minority member or a committee vote. 30 Congress's power to investigate is not written in the Constitution but the Supreme Court has recognized it. 32

Does anything change before January?

No. The current Congress, with Republican majorities in both chambers, stays in office until the new one meets. 23 The Constitution sets noon on January 3 as the start unless Congress picks another day by law. 24

Dates to know

  1. House Democrats hold their leadership elections by secret ballot, including the nomination for Speaker. 9

  2. Alaska begins its ranked-choice count in the one uncalled Senate race, if no candidate has a majority of first choices. 2

  3. Alaska's target date to certify its results. 2

  4. Senate Democrats vote on their leader. Wikipedia lists December 1; ABC News reported on November 13 that no date had been officially announced and that the vote is expected in early December. 31 11

  5. Government funding runs out; a shutdown is possible if no spending law is passed. 23

  6. Runoff elections for two House seats in Louisiana, the 5th and 6th districts. 1

  7. Last scheduled day of the House's year-end session. 24

  8. The 120th Congress begins and the House elects a Speaker, who needs 218 votes. January 3 is a Sunday in 2027 and Congress can choose a different opening day by law. 24 8

  9. Earliest month in which Bank of America analysts estimate the $41.1 trillion debt limit will be reached. 25

  10. Bank of America's estimate of when the Treasury could run out of money to pay its bills if the debt limit is not raised; the analysts said it could get close as early as August. 25

Sources for this guide

  1. Yahoo News, Lots of 2026 midterm races haven't been called yet. Here's where things stand right now., Nov. 13, 2026
  2. AP via PBS NewsHour, More than a dozen key races remain too early to call one week after Election Day, Nov. 11, 2026
  3. Wikipedia, 2026 United States House of Representatives elections, Nov. 13, 2026
  4. Wikipedia, 2026 United States Senate elections, Nov. 13, 2026
  5. NBC News, U.S. House Elections 2026 Live Results: Democrats Win Control, Nov. 13, 2026
  6. AP via KPTV, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio elected to lead House Republicans in minority, Nov. 10, 2026
  7. AP via WCAX, Democrat Hakeem Jeffries poised to make history as first Black speaker of the House, Nov. 4, 2026
  8. Latin Times, Democrats Face Leadership Votes as Jeffries, Clark and Schumer Seek Top Congressional Posts, Nov. 5, 2026
  9. Fox News via Yahoo News, Jeffries leaves door open to investigating major Trump ally as Democrats prepare to take power, Nov. 12, 2026
  10. CBS News, Chris Van Hollen announces he will challenge Chuck Schumer for Senate majority leader, Nov. 12, 2026
  11. ABC News, Schumer and Van Hollen are facing off for Senate majority leader. What do Democrats think?, Nov. 13, 2026
  12. NBC News, Brian Schatz racks up support to succeed Dick Durbin as the No. 2 Senate Democrat, May 2, 2025
  13. Wikipedia, 120th United States Congress, Nov. 13, 2026
  14. NPR via WAMC, Back in the majority, Democrats have plans for a long list of Trump investigations, Nov. 4, 2026
  15. AP via PBS NewsHour, House Democrats plan vast oversight of Trump administration. Impeachment is an option, Sept. 26, 2026
  16. K&L Gates, Congressional Oversight Following the Midterm Elections: A Spotlight on Committees, Nov. 10, 2026
  17. Punchbowl News, Back to the future with Dem committee leadership, May 1, 2026
  18. WJAR NBC 10, Rhode Island's senators set to wield more clout in Democrat controlled Congress, Nov. 6, 2026
  19. Wikipedia, List of United States House committees, Nov. 13, 2026
  20. Wikipedia, List of United States Senate committees, Nov. 13, 2026
  21. AP via Atlanta News First, House Democrats plan a first 100-days agenda if they sweep to power in midterm elections, Oct. 14, 2026
  22. AP via Anchorage Daily News, Congress returns to a changed Washington after GOP's election wipeout, Nov. 9, 2026
  23. Gray DC via KPTV, Congress enters lame duck session following midterm elections, Nov. 7, 2026
  24. Cox Media Group via WSOC-TV, Election 2026: What's next for Congress?, Nov. 4, 2026
  25. Fortune, The U.S. will hit its debt limit sooner than expected, and the deadline to avoid default could get 'uncomfortably close' when Congress is on vacation, Nov. 9, 2026
  26. U.S. Senate, About Impeachment, Nov. 13, 2026
  27. U.S. House of Representatives, History, Art & Archives, Presidential Vetoes, Nov. 13, 2026
  28. U.S. Senate, About Filibusters and Cloture, Nov. 13, 2026
  29. U.S. Senate, About Nominations, Nov. 13, 2026
  30. Congressional Research Service via EveryCRSReport, A Survey of House and Senate Committee Rules on Subpoenas, Nov. 9, 2026
  31. Wikipedia, 2026 Senate Democratic Caucus leadership election, Nov. 13, 2026
  32. U.S. Senate, About Investigations, Nov. 13, 2026

Guide checked Nov. 13, 2026. Counts change as the last races are called. Something wrong or out of date? Tell the desk.

Our own count of every race is on the results page; day-to-day coverage is in Congress Watch.