Democrats won control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, a result that starting in January gives the party the power to bring new military and financial aid for Ukraine to a vote and to press President Donald Trump to seek congressional authorization for the war against Iran, pravda.com.ua reported.
The party secured 220 seats in the House of Representatives, two more than the 218 needed for a majority, and holds at least 54 of the Senate’s 100 seats in preliminary counts, NV reported. In the House, preliminary figures put Democrats at no fewer than 228 of 435 seats. Republicans had held majorities in both chambers before the vote, and vote counting was still continuing as of November 3.
What Democratic Control Could Mean for Ukraine Aid
With both chambers in hand from January, Democrats can decide what comes to a vote and when. That could allow them to approve new aid for Ukraine, which Reuters, as cited by pravda.com.ua, reported would likely pass with the two-thirds majority needed to override a Trump veto. Democratic aides told the publication that aid to Kyiv is a priority.
The shift comes after Trump virtually halted direct financial and military assistance to Ukraine, which is fighting Russia’s full-scale invasion, despite broad support for aid among Democratic and Republican lawmakers, pravda.com.ua reported. Trump also angered some members of Congress, particularly Republicans, by lifting sanctions on Russian diesel fuel and declining sanctions on Russian energy just weeks after signing the relevant laws into force.
The Iran War Authorization Fight
Trump did not obtain congressional approval before launching the war alongside Israel on February 28, and Democrats have repeatedly voted to end hostilities unless he seeks authorization from Congress, pravda.com.ua reported. One such resolution passed both the House and the Senate with support from several Republicans, but the Trump administration ignored it.
Democrats have won control of both chambers of the US Congress in a sweeping midterm victory, dealing Donald Trump and the Republican Party a major political blow. The results will reshape Washington for the final two years of Trump’s presidency, giving Democrats the power to…
Markets Rally, but Analysts Urge Caution
Ukraine’s dollar-denominated bonds rose sharply after the election results on expectations that a decisive Democratic victory would improve relations between Kyiv and Washington, LIGA reported.
Still, analysts cautioned against reading too much into the outcome. Alexander Kraev, speaking to NV, said changes in the American political landscape would not automatically mean a pro-Ukraine course from the Democratic Party, the House or any part of the U.S. political establishment. The key problem for Ukraine, he said, would not be Trump trying to harm Kyiv directly, but that no one would actively work on Ukrainian issues, leaving foreign policy passive amid major domestic upheaval.
Former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova offered a more measured assessment in a Facebook post cited by Interfax-Ukraine. She said that among new governors and members of Congress from both parties there are many people who support Ukraine, and that the election results are “neither good nor bad” but rather America’s internal affair.
Oleg Shamshur, a former Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S. and France, told RBC-Ukraine in an interview that a Democratic victory would not change U.S. foreign policy toward Ukraine. He called any impeachment scenario against Trump “absolutely unrealistic,” and said that even if Congress appropriated funds or passed sanctions, Trump relies on his concept of an “imperial presidency” and believes he has the right to use the money or not, citing his past delays of congressional decisions under the pretext of “peace negotiations” with Russia. Shamshur also warned that future elections in France, where Marine Le Pen could win the presidency, could block aid to Ukraine.
Questions Readers Are Asking About the Election Results
When does Democratic control of Congress begin?
Democrats won 220 House seats against the 218 needed for a majority, and hold at least 54 Senate seats in preliminary NV counts.
Can Democrats force new Ukraine aid over Trump’s objections?
Reuters reported that aid approved by both chambers could pass with a two-thirds vote in each chamber, enough to override a presidential veto, and Democratic aides identified aid to Kyiv as a priority.
What do the US election results mean for Ukraine? 1. Ukraine will gain many new supporters in Congress. Many Democratic lawmakers will replace Trump’s MAGA minions. This could strengthen congressional support for Ukraine and create new opportunities for bipartisan cooperation.… pic.twitter.com/M8ndGdvTLo
What happens next with the Iran war?
One resolution to end the fighting already passed both chambers with some Republican support, but the Trump administration ignored it.