On Nov. 5, the Republican Party claimed not only the presidency but also secured control of both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. This marks a pivotal shift, with Republicans now set to dominate the legislative and executive branches for the first time since 2007.
After three years of the Democrats controlling the Senate, Republicans will reclaim a majority in the chamber, which they will hold at least until Nov. 3, 2026. The GOP, another name for the Republican Party, picked up four seats, a significant gain that allowed them to reach 53 seats in total, while Democrats hold 45 and Independents two. This new 53-45-2 split solidifies Republican dominance in the upper chamber, which will shape legislative priorities for the coming term.
In the House of Representatives, Republicans retained their majority, which they have held since 2023. Georgia elected a total of nine Republicans and five Democrats, and the country as a whole ended up electing 218 Republicans and 209 Democrats. The dual victories in Congress, as well as the six out of nine Supreme Court justices being appointed by Republican presidents, ensure that Republicans will likely have full control over the federal legislative agenda, potentially streamlining efforts to pass key pieces of conservative legislation.
With both chambers in GOP hands and a Republican president in office, the party is positioned to pursue ambitious policies, likely affecting key issues such as immigration, border security, healthcare, and economic reform.
“It feels like a big shift, and honestly, it’s a little worrying. With Republicans controlling both the presidency and congress, there’s a strong chance we’ll see some major changes. I’m concerned about how these changes might affect a lot of people’s lives over the next few years,” Rynn Hall ’27 says.
