US Elections 2016: Republicans Keep Their Hold over Congress

Republicans have kept their hold over Congress, capping a dire night for the Democrats.

With Donald Trump elected as the 45^th US president, the GOP retained its majorities in the House and Senate.

Republican dominance over Congress in principle enables Donald Trump to turn his policy plans into law.

However, how easily this will happen is unclear given that key GOP leaders had refused to back him.

The night began with majority control of the Senate up for grabs, with 34 of the 100 seats available.

However, the Democrats have so far gained just one seat in the Senate, with Tammy Duckworth, a double amputee Iraq war veteran, taking Mark Kirk’s place in Illinois. During a TV debate last month Mark Kirk mocked Tammy Duckworth’s Thai heritage, but later apologized.

Another bright spot was in Nevada, which Cortez Masto retained for the Democrats, beating Republican Joe Heck to become the first Latina senator.

Democrats also failed to significantly dent Republican advantage in the House, with just five Republican incumbents losing.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, who had distanced himself from Donald Trump after previously endorsing him, won re-election to the House of Representatives in Wisconsin.

Ilhan Omar became the first Somali-American legislator, with victory in a House race in Minnesota. She came to the US while still a child, escaping Somalia’s civil war with her family and spending four years in a Kenyan refugee camp.