News by Levels · Level 3 · Student worksheet

US Midterms Give Democrats Control of Next Congress, AP Calls Show

In this lesson: Distinguish a race call from a complete seat count and describe a possible institutional relationship.

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

Democrats have secured enough seats to control the next US House of Representatives and Senate, according to race calls by the Associated Press following the November 3 midterm elections. Republicans held the majorities going into the vote.

The Associated Press calls races when it determines that a trailing candidate no longer has a path to victory. Some contests remain unresolved, so the final distribution of seats is not yet certain. The two chambers of Congress write and pass federal legislation.

The newly elected Congress is due to begin on January 3, 2027. Republican President Donald Trump remains in office; the midterms did not decide the presidency. A Democratic-led Congress could challenge or negotiate with the president over legislation.

Source: The Associated Press, 2026-11-04. https://apnews.com/article/congress-democratic-blue-wave-midterms-house-senate-9c5c4c5283f58b1ae0786e2f410c21a0

Read and practise

1. When does the Associated Press call a race, according to the reading?

   1. Only after every other race is resolved
   2. Whenever the first votes favour a candidate
   3. When it determines that the trailing candidate no longer has a path to victory

2. Which conclusion preserves the uncertainty in the final paragraph?

   1. A Democratic-led Congress could challenge or negotiate with the president.
   2. Every proposed law will necessarily be rejected by Congress.
   3. The final paragraph establishes that negotiation is impossible.

Your turn

Explain why party control can be known before the final seat distribution, then state one possible effect without making a certainty claim.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/us-midterm-elections-democrats-house-senate-november-2026/level-3/