Democrats Win Control of Congress. Here’s How That Could Affect U.S. Foreign Policy. – Council on Foreign Relations

Democrats Win Control of Congress. Here’s How That Could Affect U.S. Foreign Policy.  Council on Foreign Relations

Democrats won both the House and the Senate, setting up two years of divided government with a Republican White House. Nine CFR experts break down what that could mean for U.S. foreign policy. CFR’s Expert Readouts are published the day the news breaks, bringing together experts to unpack major world events and why they matter. Democrats secured a resounding victory in Tuesday’s midterms, taking both the Senate and the House of Representatives against the backdrop of the Iran war and concerns over tariffs, the economy, and the cost of living. While President Donald Trump will maintain significant control over U.S. foreign policy and tariffs, Democrats will hold the federal purse strings, chair congressional committees, and—through control of the Senate—decide which of Trump’s nominees are confirmed to key national security and diplomatic posts.

CFR experts expect the Democratic-led Congress to focus on affordability and challenge the administration over the Iran war. But they also note that the absence of a veto-proof majority will constrain Democrats’ ability to reverse Trump’s tariff policies or his approach to the Ukraine war and relations with European allies. Below are more of their takeaways from the midterm results: Rebecca Lissner is senior fellow for U.S. foreign policy and director of the Future of American Strategy Initiative at CFR. The scale of Democrats’ victory on Tuesday came