The battle for control of the U.S. Congress entered its final six months Sunday, with November midterm elections that could reshape President Donald Trump’s second term and redefine the balance of power in Washington.

Democrats are hoping to capitalize on economic discontent and Trump’s sliding approval ratings to retake both chambers, while Republicans fight to hold on.

What is at stake in the 2026 midterm elections?

Control of Congress is on the line, along with the trajectory of Trump’s second-term agenda. A Democratic-run Congress could launch investigations, block nominees and complicate the remainder of his presidency.

Democrats need to flip three House seats and four Senate seats to take control of both chambers.

Why are Republicans facing headwinds in the midterms?

Midterms historically punish the party in power, and this cycle is no exception. Trump’s approval rating sits around 40 percent, with economic dissatisfaction, particularly over inflation and Iran war-related costs, eroding public confidence.

A Republican-aligned group, AFP Action, has already warned that the party’s Senate majority is “at risk,” citing structural headwinds and disengaged voters.

Polling shows Democrats with a narrow edge on the generic ballot. Some surveys suggest voters now trust them more on the economy, a shift that would mark a significant reversal heading into a campaign season where cost-of-living concerns dominate.

“When the president’s approval rating is at or below 40 percent, that is when you start to see these deeper pickups in much more Republican-heavy terrain,” said Molly Murphy of pollster Impact Research.

How does the Senate map affect Democrats’ chances?

The Senate landscape is competitive but complicated. Democrats must win seats in states Trump carried, which raises the bar considerably. “The Senate is on the table here,” Murphy told cable network MS NOW, pointing to Trump’s waning popularity and strong Democratic turnout in recent special elections.

Republicans, for their part, are banking on financial advantages and voter concerns over immigration and national security. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise told CNBC that Republican prospects would depend on turnout and voters appreciating “delivering what we’ve delivered to finally start turning this mess around that we inherited a year and a half ago.”

How is redistricting shaping the 2026 midterm race?

A fierce redistricting battle is further complicating the campaign, with states including Texas, California, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, Missouri, Utah and Virginia pursuing new mid-decade voting maps. Heavily gerrymandered districts and a shrinking number of competitive seats limit how far a national swing can translate into House gains.

The full impact of those changes, alongside a Supreme Court ruling limiting race-based redistricting, remains unclear.

What are Democrats focusing on to win back Congress?

Democrats are centering their campaign on cost-of-living pressures and framing the election as a defense of democratic norms. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has accused Republicans of undermining voting rights through aggressive election security measures and immigration enforcement. “Let’s call it what it is: an effort to rig the system,” he said.

Republicans insist the race remains far from settled, arguing that political conditions can shift rapidly in the months before an election. Even some Trump supporters acknowledge that his focus on foreign policy, particularly the war with Iran, has drawn attention away from the domestic economic concerns that typically dominate midterm campaigns.

All 435 House seats, roughly one-third of the 100-member Senate and most governorships are up for a vote in November.