Schumer: Democrats Hold 54 Senate Seats After Blue Wave
The New York leader says the party will focus on cost of living and Iran as two races remain undecided.
By Leila Reynolds ·
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters on Wednesday that Democrats now control both chambers of Congress, a shift he described as a generational remake of the Senate map. The party secured major gains in red states that President Trump previously carried, including Iowa, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas.
The most striking victory came in Kansas, where a Democrat won a Senate seat for the first time in 94 years. Schumer, who is expected to become Senate Majority Leader in January, credited these results to candidates who tailored their messages to local audiences.
Democrats currently hold a 54-seat majority in the Senate, including the two independent senators who caucus with the party. Two races have not yet been called: Alaska and Mississippi.
Schumer said the voters entrusted the party with a specific mandate. He stated that the majority was given to do what the American people want, not to do whatever the party wishes. He vowed that relief is on the way for voters, acknowledging that some remain skeptical that Democrats will deliver on their promises.
The new leadership intends to lower the cost of living, end the Iran war, and launch investigations into the White House to address corruption allegations. Schumer declared that the days of Trump's supplicant Senate are over.
President Trump has indicated he will use his veto power on Democratic priorities but has also signaled openness to deals. Schumer said the party will work hard to drive costs down with the president or without him.
