President Donald Trump received an encouraging prediction from the head of the Republican National Committee on Sunday as Republicans prepare for a high-stakes battle to maintain control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.
RNC Chairman Joe Gruters predicted that Republicans will retain their majorities in both the House and Senate this November, arguing that the GOP is in a stronger political position than some critics believe.
The outcome could have major consequences for Trump’s agenda on the economy, immigration, election security and other Republican priorities during the remainder of his presidency.
Gruters said he is particularly confident about the battle for control of the House.
“Here’s the bottom line. Go to Cook Political Report. We start at 212 likely seats. There’s 18 toss-up seats. We need six. I bet you we win 10,” Gruters said during an appearance on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday.”
“I think we’re going to hold the majorities in both the House and the Senate.”
RNC Chairman Predicts Republicans Will Keep Congress
Gruters said he remains “very optimistic” despite the political challenges facing the president’s party during a midterm election.
His confidence centers in part on a belief that voters will ultimately prefer Republican policies on the economy, immigration and opportunity over the increasingly progressive direction he sees within the Democratic Party.
Gruters argued that Republicans can appeal to Americans who remain concerned about achieving the American dream, securing the southern border and preventing socialist-style economic policies from gaining influence in Washington.
He also said voters are concerned about progressive and democratic socialist candidates seeking Democratic nominations in races around the country.
The RNC chairman contrasted those candidates with what he described as a strong Republican field heading into November.
For Trump, maintaining Republican control of Congress would be a significant political victory.
A GOP-controlled House and Senate would give the president a much better chance of advancing legislation during the second half of his term. Losing either chamber could make it substantially more difficult for the White House to enact major parts of its domestic agenda.
Trump’s Agenda Could Depend on November Election
The stakes are especially high in the House, where Republicans are defending a narrow majority.
Midterm elections have historically been difficult for the president’s party, making competitive congressional districts especially important in 2026.
Just a handful of races could ultimately determine whether House Republicans retain control or Democrats reclaim the speaker’s gavel.
Gruters believes Republicans can outperform expectations in those closely watched contests.
His prediction could provide some welcome encouragement to Republican voters who have become frustrated with the pace of legislation in Washington.
One issue generating particular concern among the GOP base is election law.
SAVE America Act Frustrates Republican Voters
Gruters acknowledged frustration among conservatives over Congress’ failure to advance the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE America Act.
The legislation is a priority for Trump and many Republican lawmakers. It would establish additional proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration and photo-identification requirements for casting ballots.
Supporters say such requirements would strengthen public confidence in elections and help ensure that only eligible U.S. citizens participate in federal elections. Opponents have raised concerns about how documentation requirements could affect eligible voters.
According to Gruters, Republican voters expected more progress after giving the GOP control in Washington.
“A lot of Republicans are upset that some members of our Senate caucus won’t pass the SAVE America Act,” Gruters said.
“They expect things to happen when we have the majorities, and it should happen.”
Gruters urged frustrated Republican voters not to abandon the party before November.
Instead, he argued that electing additional Trump-aligned Republicans could give the GOP the votes it needs to advance legislation that has stalled in Congress.
“Don’t give up hope,” Gruters said.
He predicted Republicans would have the votes necessary to move forward after the November elections if the party’s candidates perform as he expects.
Democrats Target Republican House Seats
Democrats, however, have their own plans for November.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently expanded its offensive strategy by adding 12 Republican-held or Republican-leaning congressional seats to its target list.
Democrats believe economic concerns, affordability and the Iran war could help them make gains in competitive districts.
The cost of living is likely to remain an important issue for both parties as voters evaluate household expenses, inflation, wages and the broader U.S. economy.
Republicans are attempting to convince voters that maintaining GOP control would provide greater economic stability while allowing Trump to continue pursuing his policies on taxes, federal spending, energy, immigration and regulation.
Democrats are expected to argue that voters should instead use the midterms to place a check on the Trump administration and Republican-controlled Congress.
That competing message could make the 2026 midterms a referendum not only on individual candidates, but also on Trump’s record and the direction of the country.
Gruters Questioned About Rep. Max Miller
The RNC chairman was also asked about Republican Rep. Max Miller of Ohio, who has faced allegations of domestic abuse involving his former wife, the daughter of Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno.
Miller has denied the allegations.
Asked whether the RNC would support Miller’s reelection campaign, Gruters declined to judge the underlying dispute and emphasized the party’s broader goal of supporting its nominees and maintaining control of Congress.
“There’s not many things worse than divorce, and watch these processes play out,” Gruters said. “Nobody’s a winner.”
Gruters said he hoped Miller and his former wife would reach the outcome they wanted before returning to the political implications of the race.
“We’re going to support our nominees,” he said. “We need to make sure we hold the majorities.”
Battle for Congress Could Define Trump’s Next Two Years
Control of Congress could determine how much of Trump’s agenda becomes law during the remainder of his presidency.
If Republicans retain both chambers, the administration would have a clearer path to pursue priorities involving the economy, border security, immigration, taxes, government spending and election legislation.
A Democratic takeover of the House could create a far more difficult political environment for Trump, while a change in Senate control could affect legislation and other major presidential priorities.
That makes voter turnout particularly important for Republicans.
Gruters appears to recognize the frustration among conservatives who expected faster action after Republicans won power. His message to those voters is essentially that staying home would make achieving Trump’s priorities even more difficult.
The RNC chairman is betting that concerns about the economy, immigration, election security and the Democratic Party’s progressive wing will motivate Republicans and independents to turn out in November.
Democrats, meanwhile, are betting that concerns about affordability and the Trump administration will help them capture enough competitive districts to change the balance of power in Washington.
For now, Gruters is publicly predicting the outcome Republicans want most: GOP control of both the House and Senate after the 2026 midterm elections.
If he is right, Trump could enter the final two years of his presidency with something every White House wants — congressional majorities capable of helping turn its political agenda into law.