“The aftershocks of last week’s midterm elections are still being felt by Senate Republicans, but another political reality is beginning to set in: The GOP may not regain control of the chamber for years to come,” Fox News reports.
“This year’s Senate map was, initially, favorable to Republicans in their quest to maintain and possibly grow their 53-seat majority in the Senate. But the next election cycle’s map in 2028 is tough, perhaps even insurmountable, for Republicans to conquer.”
“Scott Colom’s path to a historic U.S. Senate upset ran through the Mississippi Delta — where Emmett Till was abducted, Fannie Lou Hamer fought for the ballot and the blues became an American art form,” Axios reports.
“Nearly 150 years after Reconstruction, Mississippi sent a Black American to the U.S. Senate for the first time since 1881. The votes pushing Colom toward that milestone came from communities where Black residents spent generations fighting for the ballot.”
For members: Mississippi Makes History
“In the wake of sweeping victories in last week’s midterm elections, a historic new crop of Democrats has pledged to pursue an array of liberal priorities — from scrutinizing the Trump administration to expanding access to health care,” the Washington Post reports.
“But action on climate change, previously a centerpiece of the Democratic platform, is conspicuously absent from many victorious lawmakers’ stated agendas.”
“JD Vance sees an opening in the post-election blame game: Republican hawks are attacking him for opposing the war, Democrats promise retribution — and he’s planning to use both to prove he’s the anti-establishment voice in Washington,” Politico reports.
“Vance allies say the attacks could help him recast the MAGA brand after the midterms and rally voters who soured on the war President Donald Trump launched the U.S. into.”
“This was not a normal midterm election loss. If you think that, congratulations, you’re stupid.”
— Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), quoted by Mediaite.
Dan Pfeiffer: “It was an ass-kicking for the ages. So if there was ever a time for Republicans to engage in some introspection and change their approach, it would be now.”
“But that’s not what’s happening at all.”
“Based on almost everything they have said and done since the election, Trump and the GOP seem wholly committed to learning nothing and instead doubling down on the exact strategy that led to their losses.”
Bloomberg: “Democrats have said they will act quickly to restore health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, and to reverse cuts to Medicaid and food benefits enacted by the Trump administration and congressional Republicans. The likely Speaker of the House, New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries, has also signaled the chamber will vote to repeal some of the administration’s tariffs, which have driven up costs for businesses and consumers.”
“But the party will be constrained by President Donald Trump’s continued control of the executive branch and veto power, a dire fiscal outlook, and the likelihood of more Federal Reserve rate hikes. Then there’s a stubborn policy challenge: Cost-of-living issues such as housing and fuel defy easy fixes.”
“Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported a record 483,200 people in fiscal year 2026,” CBS News reports.
“The Democrats’ coming takeover of the Senate has kickstarted a scramble to confirm two dozen of President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees before Republicans turn over the gavel in January,” CNN reports.
“Trump’s remaking of the judiciary – from the Supreme Court on down in his first term – could arguably be the longest-lasting legacy of his presidency. Right-leaning judges could continue to serve as a check on Democrats, by striking down their policies, if they expand their power in Washington in 2028 and beyond.”
“Attorney General Todd Blanche has been living on a U.S. military base since early 2026,” NewsNation reports.
“Blanche is part of a growing number of senior Trump administration officials who have moved into military housing, many amid security concerns.”
“That list includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House chief of staff Stephen Miller and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.”
“Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV) said the GOP can ‘forget’ about taking back the Senate majority in 2028 after Democrats’ blue wave secured the majority in both chambers of Congress following last week’s midterm elections,” Fox News reports.
Said Justice: “You can forget 2028. Absolutely. I hope and pray we don’t lose the presidency. But this is such a colossal blow that it is beyond belief how colossal this is to America.”
“Sen. Chuck Schumer is already mapping out a target list for the 2028 elections, hoping Democrats can build ‘a durable majority’ that lasts for many years,” the Washington Sun reports.
“The Senate minority leader, who expects to win his race to become majority leader in a few weeks, pointed to a handful of states where Democrats just won big this month that Republicans must defend in two years. If their current lead in Alaska holds up, Democrats will have 56 seats next year, and any additional gains in 2028 would get them closer to the senatorial Holy Grail of a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority.”
“President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was investigating what he described as fresh restrictions on SpaceX’s Starshield service over the country, after similar speed limitations were imposed last month,” CNBC reports.
New York Times: “The department, which has already seen the exodus of hundreds of career officials who were forced out or left because they disagreed with President Trump’s priorities, faces a daunting new staffing dilemma spurred by the election.”
“Many career officials who hung on until now, including some who broadly support the department’s current mission, are eyeing the exits to avoid two grim years of partisan combat. They are joined by a second, higher-profile group: senior department officials who have submitted resignations, some after a discreet shove, in a leadership reshuffle over the past week.”
“Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has repeatedly said Democrats will ‘run Pete Hegseth out of town.’ But in their first opportunity to impeach the defense secretary on Tuesday, 11 Democrats missed a key procedural vote — and Hegseth was spared, at least for now,” the Washington Post reports.
“House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) addressed the absences during a meeting with Democrats on Wednesday, as the lawmakers who missed the vote faced backlash.”
For members: Winning Elections Is Easier Than Governing
“Only a couple hundred votes separated the two candidates in North Carolina’s last uncalled race for its state Senate, a seat that will determine whether Democrats take full control of the state government as part of a stunning sweep,” the Washington Post reports.
“As of Wednesday afternoon, state Sen. Danny Britt (R) led Catina Hamm (D) by 228 votes, or 0.4 percentage points, which is within the range for a recount. Britt’s margin has thinned this week as election officials have reviewed provisional ballots.”
“Gov. Josh Stein (D) has been constrained by a state legislature that has been controlled by Republicans for 15 years. If Britt loses his seat, Republicans and Democrats would be evenly split in the state Senate, and a Democratic lieutenant governor would cast tiebreaking votes. Democrats flipped more than 20 seats in the midterms to win the state House.”
NBC News: How North Carolina emerged as one of Democrats’ biggest midterm bright spots.
“President Trump is turning the federal government into an investor in dozens of private companies, and some Democrats are considering following his lead as their party emerges emboldened from the midterm elections,” Axios reports.
“Democrats are gaining new power to scrutinize Trump’s corporate investments, even as his approach gains traction within their own party.”
“They’re looking at investments and aid for clean energy and other priorities, like support for energy infrastructure.”
“Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is shaking up her team for the second time in the past few months as she prepares to make the biggest decision of her political life,” Axios reports.
“The overhaul comes as the democratic socialist leader is debating whether to run for president in 2028 — or Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s seat, which is up the same year.”
“Ocasio-Cortez has parted ways with her longtime digital fundraising firm, Middle Seat.”
“At the same time, sources said, she’s brought on Aisle 518 Strategies — the company led by Democratic strategist Tim Tagaris, who oversaw Bernie Sanders’ record-breaking online fundraising strategy in his two presidential campaigns.”
Taegan Goddard
Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.
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