A new Marist poll shows Democrats favored over Republicans for the 2026 midterm elections. Meanwhile, a federal judge blocked Texas from using its new congressional map in the 2026 midterms. CBS News' Fin Gomez has more.

Washington

Recent polling from Marist shows Democrats with a 14-point lead over Republicans in early projections for the 2026 U.S. congressional elections, marking their largest advantage since 2017. The survey, conducted among over 1,400 adults, suggests Democrats would receive 55% of the vote if the election were held now, compared to 41% for Republicans.

The report also addresses complications in Texas, where a federal judicial panel blocked the use of new redistricting maps for the 2026 midterms, citing potential unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. This decision has caused uncertainty among candidates regarding district boundaries, with election officials warning of possible disruptions to candidate filings and the broader election timeline if the issue is not resolved soon.

Early polls projecting Democrats over Republicans for 2026 elections

And we have new polling this morning showing Democrats have a very early lead in the 2026 general congressional elections. That's according to Marist. If the 2026 election for Congress happened today, 55% of ballots would go toward Democrats. This marks the first time in more than three years that Democrats have a lead on early polling for seats. CBS News political director Finn Gomez joins me now for much more. Finn, thank you for your time. Good to see you. Walk us through why we might be seeing this shift and what else stood out to you when it comes to these polls. Yeah, Muga, we're less than a year away until the 2026 midterm elections, and according to this new poll, there are some flashing warning signs for congressional Republicans who, as you know, hold the slim majority in the House. But according to this new poll, Democrats hold their largest advantage, as you mentioned, 14 points since 2017 on the question of who respondents would vote for if the midterm elections were held today. This is, of course, coming off of big, big wins during the off-year elections about two weeks ago. But Democrats lead Republicans 55 to 41 when people were asked who they would vote for in their district if the election for Congress were held today. That is a survey of 14, over 1,400 adults conducted earlier this month. And that big advantage that you referenced, you know, like if you recall back, that's like since 2017. In 2018, that was a big year for Democrats. They flipped about 40 seats and won back control of the House. Some Democrats that I spoke to earlier today and yesterday say they are pretty, pretty bullish about 2026, but it's very, very early and we have a long way to go. Also, both Democrats and Republican Party officials have told me before the off-year election that they're only about, they think they estimate about 30 to 40 battleground districts that are in serious competitive play. So but again, for Democrats that I spoke to, this is optimistic news for their for their layout as they head into this cycle. Yeah, we certainly still have a long time to go before that 2026. Yeah, exactly. OK, I want to ask you about Texas because we understand that a Texas judge or panel of judges, they blocked the state from using redistricting maps into 2026 midterm elections. Has this caused confusion among candidates? Yes, it has. I mean, that's what we're hearing. But that three judge federal panel threw Texas politics into turmoil, if you will, after ruling that the state cannot use the newly drawn congressional map for the 2026 midterms, saying it likely amounts to an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The court ordered Texas to revert back to that 2021 map unless the decision is overturned on appeal. The ruling, as you as you asked, is creating significant confusion by some candidates. Look, many had already filed or had begun building their campaigns around that now blocked 2020-25 map. But with district lines suddenly in limbo, some candidates aren't sure which district they're actually going to be running in or which voters they need to target. And the clock is ticking. The candidate filing deadline is December 8th and the primary calendar is already set. So election officials and texters are saying that if the map issue isn't resolved quickly, it could disrupt a lot more issues like filing primaries and the broader election timeline, Mugo. Yeah, it certainly could. What a mess there. Hopefully they figure it out before December. Finn Gomez, thank you so much for joining us today.

U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized a plan for the CIA in Venezuela, according to a New York Times report. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has more details.

Trump authorizes plans for CIA covert operation in Venezuela: report

An Israeli strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon killed 13 people and wounded several others, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Wednesday. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas militants who it said were operating in a training compound there.

Beirut

Middle East Conflict

Israeli strike on Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon kills 13

The Epstein files bill is expected to reach President Donald Trump's desk for his signature on Wednesday (November 19). CBS News' Taurean Small reports.

Trump set to sign bill to release Epstein files

Microsoft and Nvidia plan to invest a combined $15 billion into Anthropic. Bloomberg Intelligence's Mandeep Singh discusses why two of the biggest backers of OpenAI are putting money into its rival.

San Francisco

Microsoft, Nvidia to invest up to $15 billion in Anthropic

Hamas rejects the US-drafted UN resolution for a Gaza ceasefire and international stabilisation force.

New York

UN Security Council vote: Hamas rejects Gaza 'peace resolution'

President Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to the White House on Tuesday. The two leaders announced a boost in Saudi Arabia's planned investment in the U.S., from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion.

Trump, MBS announce boost in Saudi investment to U.S.

President Donald Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, with the Saudi de facto ruler seeking to further rehabilitate his global image after the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi and deepen ties with Washington.

Trump hosts Saudi crown prince for pomp-filled, deal-making visit

The Senate, through the process of unanimous consent, agreed to send the bill to President Trump's desk for his signature without any amendments once it's received from the House.

Senate to send Epstein files bill to Trump's desk for signature

The House has approved a bill that would require the Justice Department to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bill, which received bipartisan support, now awaits consideration in the Senate.

House passes bill that would force release of Jeffrey Epstein files

Hopes for a strong G20 declaration on climate and debt relief are slim as South Africa readies to host the summit from Saturday (November 22). Global tensions and a boycott by the United States threaten to overshadow the gathering.

Johannesburg

South Africa readies for G20 despite U.S. boycott

At least one person is dead and three others were injured after an attack in the West Bank, Israeli forces said. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council backed the U.S. plan for Gaza. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio has the latest.

Jerusalem

Tensions escalate as U.N. Security Council backs Trump's plan for Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, his first visit since Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in 2018. The crown prince has denied any involvement.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visiting White House

The sale of the fighter jets is one of several major deals between the two countries expected to be announced during the visit.

Trump says he will sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia

The U.K. government has proposed a major overhaul of its asylum rules, making it easier to deport people and quadruple the amount of time it takes to become a permanent resident.

London

U.K. introduces tougher laws for asylum seekers

In a blistering opinion, a federal judge in Virginia accused Justice Department prosecutor Lindsay Halligan of misconduct, saying there was a "disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps."

Virginia

DOJ accused of 'profound investigative missteps' in Comey case

The United Nations Security Council has voted to adopt a U.S. resolution outlining President Trump's peace plan for post-war Gaza. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Holly Williams has the details.

U.N. Security Council adopts U.S. resolution on Gaza plan

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford has arrived in the Caribbean, giving the United States the ability to strike inside Venezuela if President Trump gives the order. The U.S. has also sent thousands of troops to the region.

Trump 'won't rule out' sending troops to Venezuela amid rising tensions

President Trump now says Republicans should vote to release all of the files related to the federal investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. CBS News' Olivia Rinaldi and Nikole Killion have the latest on what could happen next.

Trump's Epstein files reversal comes amid pressure from allies

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called an explosion on a railway line “an unprecedented act of sabotage.” Donald Tusk did not say who he believed had carried out the attack, but a government minister said "foreign intelligence agencies" were responsible.

Warsaw

Railway line blast in Poland ‘unprecedented act of sabotage’

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy signed a landmark deal in Paris on Monday to buy 100 Rafale jets, drones, and air defense systems from France.

Paris

Ukraine signs deal with France for jets, air defense systems

The Federal Aviation Administration ended mandated cuts in domestic flights at 40 major U.S. airports, easing restrictions that had been imposed over air traffic control concerns during the federal shutdown.

FAA ends mandated cuts in domestic U.S. flights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to oppose any attempt to establish a Palestinian state, a day before the UN Security Council will vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution on Gaza that leaves the door open to Palestinian independence.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Netanyahu insists there can be no Palestinian state ahead of UN vote

A Bangladesh court sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity on Monday (November 17), concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.

Dhaka

Bangladesh's ousted PM sentenced to death for protest crackdown

President Donald Trump now appears to support the release of all Jeffrey Epstein files as the House of Representatives readies for a vote on the matter. CBS News' Natalie Brand reports.

House vote on Epstein files expected Tuesday

In the latest round of the Trump administration's sweeping immigration raids, federal agents arrested 81 people in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday alone. In videos posted online, some who were detained said they do have legal status.

Charlotte

ICE detains dozens in Charlotte

If the bill passes, the U.S. Justice Department would be required to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as details about the investigation into his death in federal prison.

Trump calls on House Republicans to vote to release Epstein files

Chile heads to a December runoff after Sunday's presidential vote left no clear winner. Leftist Jeannette Jara and far-right José Antonio Kast will now face off in a race dominated by concerns over crime and migration.

Santiago

Chile leftists advance to next month's presidential runoff

Construction work of a concrete wall continued on the Israeli side of southern border with Lebanon, despite the Lebanese presidency's threat to complain to the U.N. Security Council over the wall's extension into Lebanese territory.

Israel constructs wall along Lebanon border

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro slammed planned joint military exercises by the United States and its ally Trinidad and Tobago as "irresponsible," with Washington increasing its armed presence in the Caribbean.

Caracas

Maduro denounces US military exercises

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated attempts to kill the effort to release federal files related to Jeffrey Epstein, House Republican leaders are planning to hold a vote this week on legislation to force the issue.

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