The Republican Party seized total control of the Senate for the first time in eight years, Tuesday, in the U.S. mid-term elections.
The result adds to a series of defeats for the democrats as well as President Obama, who is set to face a unified GOP-controlled Congress for the final two years in office, NBC News reports.
According to BBC, the Republicans have won in Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota and West Virginia.
With the party all set to strengthen its position in the lower House of Representatives, it can be said that the Republicans will have the power to shut down President Obama's policies in the next two years.
Surviving a challenge against Alison Lundergan Grimes, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky is on the path to becoming the majority leader in January.
"We do have an obligation to work together on issues where we agree. Just because we have a two-party system doesn't mean we have to be in perpetual conflict," McConnell said Tuesday evening in his victory speech, USA Today reports.
Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democrat who is the present majority leader, said in a statement: "The message from voters is clear: they want us to work together. I look forward to working with Senator McConnell to get things done for the middle class."
The Senate will see fresh faces in Oklahoma and Nebraska. Oklahoma GOP Rep. James Lankford will replace Sen. Tom Coburn, who is retiring early, and Ben Sasse won the Nebraska seat that is currently held by GOP Sen. Mike Johanns, who will also be retiring.
