Democrats Win Majorities in 2026 U.S. Midterm Elections
Democrats won majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, signaling a shift toward increased tech antitrust enforcement and new AI worker protections.
The 2026 U.S. midterm elections resulted in a shift of power as Democrats won majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. This transition is expected to pivot federal technology policy toward increased antitrust enforcement against large tech companies and the advancement of the Kids Online Safety Act.
Congressional leaders are expected to pursue an AI New Deal to support workers facing AI-driven unemployment. While export controls on advanced technology to China remain a bipartisan priority, the new Democratic majority is expected to scrutinize the equipment and spectrum policies of the Federal Communications Commission.
At the state level, voters passed several measures to restrict or ban data center development. Additionally, 18 state gubernatorial races featured no incumbents, resulting in a wave of new leadership. While both parties generally agree that states should be able to regulate AI, the shift in federal control may reduce previous efforts by the Trump administration to limit state-level AI regulatory authority.
