How Control of Congress Changes What a President Can Do

The US president is not on the ballot during midterm elections, but the results can change how much the president can do. This is because power in the United States is shared between the president and Congress.

When the same party controls the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is called unified government. This can make it easier to pass laws, approve budgets and confirm the president's nominees. But when the opposition party wins control of one or both chambers of Congress, it creates divided government. The president may then need to work with the opposition to pass laws.

If one party takes control of a chamber of Congress, it can change the direction of national politics. The new majority can block bills it does not support and push its own plans. However, most legislation must pass both the House and the Senate before it can become law, and the president usually must sign it.

A change in control also affects congressional investigations. The majority party chooses committee chairs, who can hold hearings, request documents and investigate the actions of the president's administration. This can increase pressure on the White House and bring government decisions under closer public attention.

The federal budget is another important issue. Spending bills need approval from both chambers of Congress. If the opposition controls either chamber, it gains more power to demand changes during budget talks. Disagreements can make it harder to reach an agreement and may lead to delays in government funding.

Control of the Senate is especially important when it comes to confirming the president's nominees. The Senate considers appointments to federal courts, including the Supreme Court, as well as cabinet positions and other important government jobs. A change in the Senate majority can affect how quickly nominees are considered and whether they are confirmed.

Even when Congress is controlled by the opposition, the president still has some powers. Presidents can issue executive orders and direct federal agencies within the limits of the law. However, courts can block unlawful actions, and a future president can reverse many executive orders. Major and lasting policy changes often require Congress to pass new laws.

The president can also veto bills passed by Congress. Lawmakers can override that veto, but they need a two-thirds majority in both the House and the Senate. This is a high bar, so even a small opposition majority can make it difficult for the president to pass certain laws.

The size of each party's majority also matters. A large majority may give party leaders more room to manage disagreements among their own members. A narrow majority can struggle to pass bills if only a few lawmakers refuse to support them.

The new Congress is scheduled to begin its term on January 3, 2027. Its first weeks will offer clues about how lawmakers plan to work with the president, which issues they will focus on and where political disagreements may grow.