The new Congress may struggle to push a progressive agenda

What the report says

Al Jazeera argues that the Democrats’ gains in the 2026 US midterm elections could still leave the next Congress constrained, because Donald Trump remains president and can veto much of the party’s agenda. In a commentary published on November 4, 2026, Josh Paul says lawmakers will likely split their efforts between limiting Trump, promoting a message for the 2028 race, and pursuing only a small area of bipartisan cooperation.

The piece says the biggest clashes may come over foreign policy, especially Israel-Palestine, as well as immigration, judicial nominations, and oversight of the Trump administration. It notes that Congress can still use tools such as spending bills, war powers measures, subpoenas, and committee investigations, but many efforts would face resistance from the White House or be diluted by Democratic leadership.

Paul also highlights potential battles inside the Democratic Party itself, particularly between the establishment and the progressive wing. He says debate over funding for Israel, UNRWA, the Palestinian Authority, and possible inquiries into the war in Gaza could expose divisions, while leadership may prefer less disruptive oversight focused on the administration’s influence and finances.

Overall, the article says the new Congress may be more assertive than the last one, but not transformative. Its ability to shape policy will depend on the size of the Democratic majority, internal party unity, and whether the White House complies with congressional action.