Republicans have gained control of the US Senate and are working to maintain their majority in the House, which would give them full control of Congress alongside President-elect Donald Trump, AP News reports.
The GOP secured the Senate with key victories in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. High-profile Democratic senators like Sherrod Brown and Jon Tester lost their seats. Control of the House remained uncertain, Democrats face a tough path to flipping the four seats needed to gain control, with key races in states like New York, California, and Maine. A unified Republican Congress would enable Trump to push his agenda, while a potential Democratic takeover of the House could act as a check on his power and block his plans with veto power.
Notable history-makers were elected to Congress, including the first two Black women senators Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, the first Korean American senator Andy Kim from New Jersey, and the first openly transgender congresswoman Sarah McBride of Delaware. The Senate leadership is set to change, with McConnell stepping down, potential successors include John Thune or John Cornyn.
