House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has expressed confidence that Democrats will reclaim control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterms, despite ongoing internal challenges and the government shutdown. In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Jeffries emphasized that the party’s focus on affordable living, healthcare reform, and fighting corruption will resonate with voters. He called the results of Tuesday’s election “decisive,” signaling a strong Democratic momentum.
Jeffries acknowledged that the party’s path to reclaiming the Senate is more uncertain, though he described it as “strong and viable.” He pointed to growing public frustration with Republican priorities, which he claims favor the wealthy and the well-connected over everyday Americans. The New York Democrat credited New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s victory, which centered on affordability, as a model for national efforts to address cost of living issues.
Demoralizing losses include the retirement of influential Democrats like Nancy Pelosi, who will not seek re-election. As of now, Democrats hold 213 seats in the House with one seat still pending, and a vacant seat in Texas. This challenges the party’s ability to maintain dominance. However, Jeffries remains hopeful that the government shutdown will end before Thanksgiving if Democrats and Republicans can broker a deal, stressing that the party is ready to reopen government and address the healthcare crisis.
Jeffries’ remarks were made as the Democratic Party grapples with both internal and external pressures. While the shutdown has intensified divisions, Jeffries insists that House Democrats will continue to push for progress, even as Speaker Mike Johnson keeps the House out of session. His message underscores the party’s determination to prioritize the needs of working-class Americans, despite the political challenges ahead.