WASHINGTON: With the US midterm elections (November 3) just hours away, President Donald Trump has warned that he will veto Democratic legislation if the party wins control of Congress. He said repeated vetoes would eventually force Democrats to the negotiating table and lead to deals, and that he will not let them undo what his administration has achieved.
Speaking to reporters on the White House South Lawn on October 23, Trump said, in essence: “Veto, veto, veto. Then they’ll come and ask how to make this work. That’s how you negotiate.” Trump vetoed 10 bills during his first term. In his current term he has vetoed two, both in the last week of December 2025. Efforts in the House to override those vetoes failed.
All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats (33 regular contests and two special elections) are on the ballot. Republicans hold a narrow House majority. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats, together with two independents, hold 47. Analysts say Democrats need a net gain of about three seats in the House and four in the Senate to flip control.
Recent projections suggest Democrats are gaining ground in the House. A projection based on the CBS News/YouGov survey (October 21-23) puts Democrats at 229 seats, with a possible range into the 230s, according to CBS. The Senate contest remains the tightest.
Rising living costs and the Iran war are weighing on voters. Trump has campaigned extensively, including in Republican strongholds. Dismissing the polls, he has said the economy is strong and that Republicans will retain control of Congress. He also said he would respect the results if the elections are conducted fairly. Asked about seeking the presidency again, he remarked that the constitutional provisions are very clear. Under the 22nd Amendment, no one may be elected president more than twice.
What is a veto? The word is Latin for “I forbid.” A bill passed by both chambers of Congress becomes law only with the president’s signature. The president can sign it, in which case it becomes law, or return it to Congress with objections as a regular veto, which Congress can override with a two-thirds majority in both chambers. A third route is the pocket veto: if the president does not sign within 10 days (excluding Sundays) and Congress has adjourned in the meantime, the bill dies. If Congress is in session, an unsigned bill becomes law automatically.
Analysts note that a Democratic majority would not make governing easy. Winning only the House would leave a Republican Senate as a barrier, and even with both chambers, overriding a veto would require Republican votes.