“"The new record — 159 women from both parties — is seven more women than currently serve in the House and Senate, according to data from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University and CNN election projections." — Aleena Fayaz, Renée Rigdon and Amy O'Kruk, CNN, "A record number of women will serve in the next Congress," Nov. 9, 2026”

The claim: “"The new record — 159 women from both parties — is seven more women than currently serve in the House and Senate, according to data from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University and CNN election projections." — Aleena Fayaz, Renée Rigdon and Amy O'Kruk, CNN, "A record number of women will serve in the next Congress," Nov. 9, 2026”

Why we rated it this way: CAWP's Nov. 9 toplines say at least 159 women will serve in the 120th Congress, a new record over the 152 first set in 2024, and that 152 women serve now, so CNN's seven-seat gain matches. CAWP also says at least 136 women will serve in the House, a record, while Senate women will fall from 27 to at least 23, as CNN reports. Fifteen races with women are still too close to call, so 159 is a floor that could rise, and CNN's own figure of 116 House Democratic women runs one above CAWP's 115 because it adds CNN projections.

What would change our rating: Final certified results or an updated CAWP count showing fewer than 159 women elected, or a different current total than 152, would move this verdict.