Analysts: High cost of living helped Democrats regain control of Congress

The Democratic Party has regained control of both chambers of the United States Congress following a major victory in the midterm elections, as voters expressed frustration over the rising cost of living and the war in Iran.

The results mark a significant political shift that could reshape the remaining two years of President Donald Trump’s administration, with Democrats set to exercise greater oversight over his policies.

Political analysts pointed to concerns over inflation and the rising costs of food, gasoline, and healthcare, along with public dissatisfaction over the war in Iran, as key factors behind the Republican Party’s losses.

Foreign policy expert Harley Lippman said the rising cost of living had become a major concern among American voters.

Democrats secured at least 54 seats in the Senate, compared with 44 for Republicans. They also won 237 seats in the House of Representatives, surpassing the 218 needed to secure a majority.

Their victories included several traditionally Republican-leaning states, such as Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, and Iowa.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico won the Senate race, while Republican Governor Greg Abbott also lost his bid for re-election.

Trump acknowledged that the war in Iran and rising gasoline prices contributed to the Republican Party’s losses.

However, he maintained that the outcome would have been different had he personally been on the ballot.

With the new Congress set to convene in January, Trump will have to work with Democrats to pass legislation and secure government funding.

Democrats are expected to prioritize lowering the cost of living, protecting healthcare and launching investigations into the Trump administration’s policies.

They are also expected to scrutinize the administration’s immigration policies and its handling of the war in Iran, including funding for military operations.

Despite the Democrats’ control of Congress, Trump retains the power to veto legislation. The House of Representatives may also initiate impeachment proceedings, but removing the president from office would still require a two-thirds vote in the Senate.

Lippman cautioned that the Democratic victory does not necessarily mean the party has better solutions to the country’s problems.

He said the results were largely a referendum on Trump, rather than an indication that voters had embraced the Democrats’ policy agenda.

The new congressional majority will also have significant influence over federal budget negotiations, including funding for the war in Iran.

In the Philippines, the shift in political power in Washington could have implications for American foreign policy and the global economy.

Economist and former Philippine Economic Society president Alexander Escucha said the immediate effect would likely be stronger congressional oversight of Trump’s decisions.

However, he noted that global oil prices would continue to depend largely on developments in the Strait of Hormuz and conditions in the international oil market.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, meanwhile, assured that the longstanding relationship between Manila and Washington is not expected to change despite the political shift.

Romualdez said the Philippines continues to enjoy strong support from both Democrats and Republicans in the United States.

He expects Democrats to review the policies and operations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, particularly its arrests and detention of undocumented immigrants.

The ambassador also expressed confidence that Trump’s planned visit to the Philippines for the ASEAN Summit would still push through.

Meanwhile, several Filipino-American candidates also emerged victorious in the midterm elections, adding to the diverse group of winners in this year’s congressional and local races. – ANC, The World Tonight, November 5, 2026