Outlets project that Democrats have won a House majority, but 19 House races remain uncalled as of November 9, 2026, Democracy Now reported. It put Democrats at 254 seats and Republicans at 162. A majority takes 218 seats. Wikipedia's election page shows the vote was held on November 3, 2026, with 96.3% of results declared as of 8:55 PM on November 9.
Settled: News outlets project a Democratic House majority, and 254 seats is above the 218 needed. Democracy Now also described Republicans as having lost control of Congress. Not settled: results and calls are still pending in some districts, and the next Speaker of the House is listed as still to be determined, according to Wikipedia's tally, which showed 254 Democratic seats and 165 Republican seats.
What's next: the remaining races stay open until they are called. New members will serve in the 120th Congress starting January 3, 2027. The sources cited here give no date for a Speaker vote.
What it means for you: if you live in one of the uncalled districts, your next House member is not yet known. The new term begins January 3, 2027.
Hegseth impeachment effort over the Iran war
Rep. Thomas Massie has introduced articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Scripps News reported. The 34-page resolution charges that Hegseth misused his office in running the Iran war, in part by leaving troops deployed without approval from Congress. Scripps described the effort as unlikely to succeed and said the timing of any House vote was unclear. It also reported that the House voted to table a separate impeachment resolution aimed at President Trump.
Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Hegseth, saying he follows the law. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said the department is unified behind Hegseth, Good Morning America reported. Massie read eight articles aloud for more than 67 minutes. He said he wanted to leave a historical marker whether or not the effort succeeds. The same report says he lost his primary this summer after Trump endorsed his opponent.
What comes next depends on whether House leaders schedule a vote, which the sources do not say. What it means for you: a vote, if held, would put each House member on record about the charges, and Blanche's and Wilson's statements show the administration rejects them.
White House chief of staff changes
President Trump replaced chief of staff Susie Wiles with Stephen Miller days after Republicans lost control of Congress, Democracy Now reported. The headline summary gives no further detail on the reasons or the timing of the change.
Rep. Garcia called for Miller to get a lawyer. Attorney General Blanche answered that the Justice Department represents executive branch members who are called before Congress, according to the same Democracy Now report. The two statements show the sides differ on how executive branch officials would be represented if Congress asks them to appear.
What comes next is not laid out in the source: it names no hearing, subpoena or date. What it means for you: the person who runs the White House staff has changed, and Blanche's statement describes who would represent staff members called before Congress.
Questions over who will lead Democrats in Congress
A petition urging Hakeem Jeffries not to seek the speakership has passed 1 million signatures, Democracy Now reported. The same summary said several incoming progressives are undecided about backing him. It did not report Jeffries's response.
In the Senate, five senators-elect have said they will not support Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader, according to that report. The source does not say how many votes a leadership race would need or who might run against either man.
What comes next: leadership choices are expected before or as the new members take their seats in the 120th Congress on January 3, 2027, but the sources give no dates for votes. What it means for you: who leads Democrats in each chamber is not settled, and that affects who sets the agenda when the new Congress begins.
State results and a South Carolina House flip
Democrats broke Republican trifectas, meaning one-party control of the governor's office and both legislative chambers, in Georgia, Iowa, Ohio and Texas, Democracy Now reported. The summary does not break down which offices changed hands in each state.
The same report said retired Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore won a South Carolina House seat that flipped from the Republican Party. Hegseth fired Lacore in August 2025.
What comes next: the sources give no swearing-in dates for state officials or any policy plans. What it means for you: if you live in Georgia, Iowa, Ohio or Texas, Republicans no longer hold every branch of state power there, according to Democracy Now. Residents of the South Carolina district have a new House member, according to the same report.
Quick answers
Have Democrats won the House?
News outlets project a Democratic House majority, which takes 218 seats, and Democracy Now reported 254 seats for Democrats. Results and calls are still pending in some districts.
How many House races are still uncalled?
Democracy Now reported 19 undecided House races as of November 9, 2026.
When does the new Congress start?
New members will serve in the 120th Congress starting January 3, 2027.