What is being decided in the midterms and why do they matter?

David Smith

The US Congress has two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate . Both must approve federal legislation before it can become law and both play important roles in overseeing the executive branch.

The House is elected every two years, meaning all 435 voting seats are contested at every congressional election. The Senate has 100 members serving staggered six-year terms, so roughly a third of its seats are up for election every two years.

This year’s ballot includes:

All 435 seats in the House of Representatives. Republicans are defending a narrow majority, with Democrats needing a net gain of four seats to take control.

35 seats in the Senate. Thirty-three seats are up in regular elections, along with two special elections in Florida and Ohio to fill the remainder of terms that were vacated early. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, against 47 held by Democrats and independents who caucus with them.…