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Congress is the biggest loser of the midterms, whoever wins
Gallup puts congressional approval at fourteen percent, the lowest before a midterm since nineteen seventy-four; voters still like their own representative far more than the institution.
On air: Chip Darnell and Dr. Nina Byte on BBN After HoursPublished
Photo: Mys 721tx · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0Watch it as it aired: Chip Darnell and Dr. Nina Byte on this story, from BBN After Hours at 4:50 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are New York Post's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by New York Post: “No matter who wins midterm elections, the biggest loser is Congress”, with reporting from Gallup and NBC News.
- Covered on BBN on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 4:50 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Chip Darnell and Dr. Nina Byte.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- New York PostNo matter who wins midterm elections, the biggest loser is Congress
- GallupRecord Lows Say Congressional Incumbents Deserve Reelection October 28, 2026 · facts used on air
- NBC NewsMidterms 2026: Congress Polls and More facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentGallup found fourteen percent of Americans approve of Congress, the lowest reading before a midterm since Gallup began tracking it in nineteen seventy-four.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorOkay, question one. Fourteen percent is bad, but is it, like, a record bad?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentYes, the lowest since nineteen seventy-four. The New York Post says whoever wins, Congress is the biggest loser.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorDoes this affect me? And if everybody hates them, who keeps sending them back?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentApparently voters might. Only fifteen percent say most members deserve reelection, but forty-three percent say their own representative does.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSo everyone loves their own guy, and the other guys are the problem?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentEvery district says it. Last question, Chip.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWhat happens next, and does anyone get a refund?
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentNobody knows who wins yet. NBC's polling average has fifty-two percent preferring a Democratic Congress and forty-four percent Republican. No refunds.
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Photo: Kiensvay · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Coolcaesar at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Yathin S Krishnappa · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN, shared under CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Ser Amantio di Nicolao · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Sunday, November 1, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months
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