Nine days after midterm elections that will hand Democrats control of both the House and Senate in January, both parties spent this week taking stock of what voters said and planning their next moves.
Democrats gather in Denver
Hundreds of Democratic officials, strategists and activists met in Denver for the “What’s Next” conference, held Nov. 12-14 and organized by Majority Democrats, a group chaired by Massachusetts Rep. Jake Auchincloss, CBS News and Al Jazeera reported. CBS said more than 2,000 people were expected.
Speakers included House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become speaker, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and Sens. Cory Booker, Ruben Gallego, Elissa Slotkin and Andy Kim, along with newly elected senators such as Texas’ James Talarico and Iowa’s Josh Turek. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who announced Thursday that he will challenge Chuck Schumer for majority leader, also appeared, as did California Rep. Ro Khanna.
The meeting highlighted a debate inside the party. Organizers describe their group as an alternative both to an “old establishment” and to an activist left, Al Jazeera reported, while some progressives say the group’s agenda, including a public insurance option rather than Medicare for All, is not ambitious enough. Talarico urged Democrats to work with him and to avoid infighting, the Associated Press reported.
Some Democrats are also pitching deals directly to President Trump. Michigan Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed floated a universal health plan he called “TrumpCare,” and Talarico suggested Trump could be remembered as a dealmaker like Lyndon B. Johnson, the AP reported. Supporters say the approach could produce results; it may also aim to head off vetoes.
Republicans review their losses
Republicans met privately this week to analyze the results. Rep. Richard Hudson, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the party failed to connect with voters on issues such as high gas prices, the AP reported.
House Republicans elected Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio as their leader, a choice the AP described as favoring a more combative approach, while Senate Republicans reelected John Thune of South Dakota, signaling a steadier course in the chamber.
President Trump posted that Vice President JD Vance should shift focus from the war with Iran to “corruption and crime” in Democratic-led cities and states, the AP reported. Vance has said the war and its economic effects contributed to Republican losses. Trump also praised Mississippi Sen.-elect Scott Colom for campaigning outside a Trump rally, despite having criticized him during the race.
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department will cooperate with Congress but will not back down from the president’s agenda, as Democrats prepare to use their new majorities to investigate the department.
Upstormed News covered Van Hollen’s challenge to Schumer this morning and the House’s bipartisan vote on the STAR Act this week.
Why it matters for families
- Divided government begins in January: a Democratic Congress and a Republican president will need to agree on spending, health care and taxes.
- Leadership elections in both parties will shape which bills reach the floor.
- Contact your representatives to share what matters to your family before the new Congress sets its agenda.
What to watch next
Senate Democrats will choose their leader before the new Congress begins, and both parties are expected to unveil early priorities in the coming weeks. Upstormed News will follow the leadership races.
Read more: Van Hollen launches challenge to Schumer for Senate majority leader
What is the one issue you most want the new Congress to tackle first? Share it in the comments.
Sources: Associated Press via KSAT, “The Latest: Now Democrats have to figure out ‘What’s Next’” (Nov. 13, 2026); Associated Press, “AP News Summary” (Nov. 13, 2026); Al Jazeera, “Democrats gather in Denver to debate party’s future after US midterm wins” (Nov. 12, 2026); CBS News, “3 more Democrats slated to join summit to plot out future”
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