🏛️ Politics
Democrats win majorities in both parts of CongressAfter the November 2026 midterm elections, Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. At the time Reuters reported, their Senate majority was at least 54 to 44, and some races were still undecided. The new Congress begins work in January. Donald Trump remains president.- 🏛️ The US Congress has two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- 🗳️ Democrats gained majorities in both chambers in the midterm elections.
- 📊 At report time, the Senate count was at least 54 Democrats to 44 Republicans.
- ⏳ Some Senate races in Alaska and Mississippi had not been called yet.
- 📅 The new Congress is due to begin in January, while Donald Trump remains president.
UK leaders disagree over Northern Ireland’s budgetNorthern Ireland’s leaders and the UK government are trying to agree a budget for public services. Finance Minister John O’Dowd wants more funding, while Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant says the local executive must set its budget.- 🏛️ Thursday’s talks ended without a budget agreement.
- 🏛️ O’Dowd says Northern Ireland needs a fair and sustainable funding package.
- 🏛️ Bryant says setting the budget is the executive’s legal responsibility and there is no more money.
- 🏛️ Without an agreed budget, departments face emergency spending limits of 95% of the previous year.
- 🏛️ A proposed £100 cost of living payment for households cannot be made until the budget is agreed.
🏛️ Fun Fact!
- A midterm election happens about halfway through a president’s four year term. Voters choose members of Congress, but they do not choose a new president in that election.
- A public budget is a plan for how a government raises and spends money. It helps decide how services such as schools and hospitals are funded!
