Republicans have won control of the U.S. Senate, retaking the majority for the first time in four years.
The Democrats, headed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), had led the upper chamber since 2021 by a slim 51-49 majority.
Control over the House of Representative is still up for grabs, with scores of races not called by early Wednesday morning. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson predicted Republicans will keep “and grow” their majority.
A potential Republican sweep of both the Senate and the House would cement the GOP’s grip on power and ease the president-elect’s agenda as well as cabinet confirmation posts.
Going into Tuesday’s elections, Democrats had held 47 out of 100 seats in the Senate, along with four independents in the chamber who caucus with Democrats, giving the party a one-seat majority. With more Democrats up for reelection on Tuesday, Republicans had a significant edge.
Among the projected winners for the GOP in the Senate were Ohio Republican nominee Bernie Moreno and West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, who cruised to victory in the race to replace Sen. Joe Manchin.
Democratic efforts to oust Republicans Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida failed.
Lawmakers in the House face voters every two years, while senators serve six-year terms.
