What Democrats can and can't do with their new power after taking Congress

NPR · BBC and The Independent report that Democrats won both the House and the Senate, leaving Washington divided for the rest of Trump's time in office. Trump answered by posting a red cap bearing the word "Veto." The Independent adds that on Sunday Trump told a New York Post podcast that vetoes would come first and deals later, though Trump also told the New York Times that Democrats and the White House would probably work something out.

Passing bills will be easy for the new majority; getting them signed is not. Overriding a veto takes two-thirds of both chambers, which Democrats lack on their own. NPR · BBC says Senator Chris Coons cautioned that voters had not given the party a mandate. Hakeem Jeffries is noncommittal on impeachment, and conviction would need 67 Senate votes. Representative Robert Garcia, set to chair a House oversight committee, named Trump's family, immigration enforcement and the Epstein files as possible targets.

The Independent notes Trump still controls tariffs and can order strikes on Iran, but treaties need congressional approval and only Congress can declare war.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NPR · BBC, The Independent and NPR’s reporting. Read the full story at NPR · BBC → Also at The Independent → Also at NPR →