US midterm elections 2026 live updates: Vance blames Iran war for Republicans’ brutal midterms losses as Democrats retake Congress | US midterm elections 2026

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has called the stunning midterm results that saw Democrats take control of Congress against “overwhelming odds”, a feat he described as “a generational re-make of the Senate map that has huge consequences for history”.

Voters have given the Democratic party the opportunity to prove itself worthy of their trust, most importantly by “doing things to make your lives better”, the New York Democrat told reporters.

The GOP won that opportunity two years ago “and squandered it”, he added. If they “continue to embrace Trump, they’re going to be following him right over the cliff, as this election has shown,” he said.

“First, Americans want Washington to bring down the cost of living,” Schumer stressed. “Second, Americans want us to clean up corruption in government … and third they want us to check on Trump’s chaos at home and abroad.”

He highlighted the deaths of Americans on our streets and overseas, adding that “the American people don’t know what the heck we’re fighting for in Iran.” The war must end, Schumer stressed, later adding: “We are going to end the war.”

Democrats will pursue investigations, court challenges and legislative action against the administration, he said, adding: “The days of Trump’s supplicant Senate are over.”

But he stressed that the party is “not going to take our eye off the ball”. He said the number one priority is reducing costs, then tackling corruption.

Ending his remarks, Schumer told reporters:

We are going to work hard to drive costs down, with the president or without him, period.