Vaccines, abortion, scientific research… Democrats and Republicans have very different views on essential health issues. During the first two years of Donald Trump's presidency, the latter were able to impose their policies with almost no obstacles. But the November 2026 elections completely changed the political landscape in the United States, giving Democrats control of all legislative branches (the Senate and the House of Representatives) as well as executive power in several states. Now that they are in a position of strength, will they be able to undo the Republicans' policies?
Limited power in the face of Trump at the federal level
Health was one of the topics which worried the Americans before these elections, particularly due to rising health insurance prices and the measles epidemic, fueled by government decisions (Read more in the next issue of Sciences et Avenir magazine). But the power of the Democrats, despite their large majority in Congress, will probably not be enough to solve these problems: “They will have the votes to pass new laws in 2027, but they do not have the two-thirds majority needed to override a potential presidential veto.”, “The US president has a very powerful veto, which would allow him to block any new Democratic law,” explains Kathryn H. Jacobsen, an epidemiologist at the University of Richmond. The day after the election, Donald Trump warned that he would use this power as soon as necessary, that is, as soon as the opposing side tries to amend one of these policies. This applies to health issues as well as climate change and… scientific research.
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