If the president’s party loses the midterms, the president stays in office, but the party loses seats in Congress and finds it harder to pass laws.
What happens
The president stays in office. The president’s party loses seats in Congress.
History
The president’s party has lost House seats in almost every midterm since World War II.
Effects
- Divided government.
- Gridlock on legislation.
- Congressional investigations.
- Possible impeachment power if the House flips.
- Committee control changes.
Second half of term
The president must negotiate with the other party.
What changes and what does not
The President remains in office until the term ends regardless of midterm results. Midterm elections fill all 435 House seats and about one-third of the 100 Senate seats. A loss of control of one or both chambers changes who sets the legislative agenda and chairs committees.
- Since World War II, the president’s party has lost House seats in all but a few midterms, averaging a loss of about 26 seats, according to Gallup and the American Presidency Project. Exceptions include 1998, 2002 and 1934.
- Losing the House means the opposing party controls committee chairs, subpoena power and the ability to launch investigations and impeachments.
- Losing the Senate affects confirmations of judges and cabinet nominees.
Effects on governing
Divided government makes passing major legislation harder, so presidents turn to executive orders, regulations and negotiations. Budget deadlines, debt limit votes and appropriations become points of leverage. Presidents such as Bill Clinton in 1994 and Barack Obama in 2010 lost congressional majorities and still won reelection.
What changes and what does not
The president stays in office. Midterm elections elect all 435 House members and about one third of the Senate. Since 1934 the president’s party has lost House seats in almost every midterm, an average of about 26 seats.
Effects on governing
Losing the House can give the opposition control of committees, subpoena powers, spending bills and the ability to start impeachment. Legislation becomes harder to pass.
Constitutional effects
Midterm elections are held halfway through a president’s four year term, when all 435 House seats and about a third of the Senate are on the ballot. The president remains in office regardless of results. Historically, the president’s party has lost House seats in most midterms since World War II, with an average loss of about 26 seats.
Practical consequences
If the opposition takes the House or Senate, it can chair committees, block legislation, launch oversight investigations and subpoenas, and hold impeachment votes in the House. A Senate majority controls confirmation of judges and cabinet appointees. The president can still use executive orders, vetoes (overridden with a two thirds vote) and appointment powers. Divided government often limits new laws and increases use of budget leverage and debt ceiling fights.
Based on data from the US Congress and the Congressional Research Service
