Democrats take control of Congress. Here’s how it could affect U.S. foreign policy.

The second Trump administration disbanded the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, withheld billions in foreign aid until the money expired and moved Food for Peace to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These dizzying measures, which are among the most significant foreign aid decisions in a generation, share a common thread: The White House bypassed Congress. Even though Democrats are expected to control both chambers, no one should expect the Trump administration to change course. Still, the new Congress will juggle three priorities: investigating administration overreach, using aggressive oversight to keep current officials in check, and setting the stage for a Democratic return to the White House in 2029 with increased aid budgets and a plan to rebuild foreign aid.