The outcome of the midterm elections will shape US policy for years — and have repercussions around the globe. Decisions made in Washington affect both US adversaries such as Iran and countries such as Ukraine, which is seeking more support from the United States. President Donald Trump does not have the final say when it comes to deciding where the United States goes to war or which countries get financial or military aid.
While the president wields more power in the US than in parliamentary democracies such as Germany, he does not govern alone — even in the land of opportunity. The House of Representatives and the Senate, the two chambers of Congress whose composition voters will decide this Tuesday, wield considerable influence. They decide on legislation and government spending and also serve as a check on the president and the intelligence agencies.
The president can veto legislation passed by Congress. Congress can override that veto with a two-thirds majority in both chambers. The legislature also handles impeachment proceedings.
In addition, the president can only appoint Cabinet members, US ambassadors and federal judges from a list of nominees the Senate approves. Trump’s Republicans currently hold majorities in both chambers of Congress, making it easier for the president to govern. But recent polls suggest the Democrats could take control of at least the House of Representatives and possibly even the Senate.
This could shift the direction of major foreign policy issues. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Joe Biden, a Democrat, was in the White House when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Alongside Europe, the US stood out as a reliable partner, supporting Ukraine with financial aid, military expertise and, above all, large-scale weapons deliveries.
The situation changed abruptly under Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy famously received a notably frosty welcome during his 2025 visit to the White House. Trump now openly admits that he gets along better with Russian President Vladimir Putin than with Zelenskyy.
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