Republicans make gains as they take control of Senate for first time in four years

The Republican Party has made gains in the Senate and secured a majority for the first time in four years.

A third of the Senate's 100 seats were up for grabs at this year's elections, with 51 required for a majority.

Senate Republicans ousted Democrats in red states to secure the majority, flipping seats in West Virginia and Ohio.

They also held their ground in Republican-leaning states like Texas and Florida, assuring them at least 52 seats when the new Congress is sworn in next January.

Democrats, who have been in control of the upper house of Congress for the last four years, entered election day with a 51-49 edge.

However, with six seats yet to be declared, the Republicans have 52, the Democrats have 41 and independent senator Bernie Sanders, who sits with the Democratic caucus, has secured a fourth term representing Vermont.

The Senate, which is similar to the House of Lords in the UK but is elected, is made up of two senators for each state.

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Among the Republicans' gains were Trump-backed Bernie Moreno, who flipped a seat in Ohio which had been held by the Democrats since 2007.

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Another gain was in West Virginia where Jim Justice won a seat that was left vacant after independent senator and former Democrat Joe Manchin's retirement.

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All 435 seats in the House of Representatives, the lower house, are also up for grabs.

The Republicans' gains in the Senate come as former president Donald Trump has secured a second term in office after winning several battleground states in the White House race.

He declared victory in a speech to supporters in Florida, while Kamala Harris will not speak until later on Wednesday.