U.S. Republican Party wins control of Congress for first time in 8 years

The U.S. Republican Party swept to power in the Senate in midterm elections Tuesday (local time), taking full control of Congress.

According to the vote tally as of 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the Republican Party won more than half of the 36 Senate seats up for grabs by winning 10 of 13 hotly contested states, 10 of which were controlled by the Democrats, and the remaining three by the Republicans. The GOP was expected to win 52 seats, and the Democratic Party 48.

In the elections for all of the 435 seats, the Republican Party won at least 239 seats and is almost certain to remain a majority party in Congress. The Democrats won 172 seats.

As the GOP takes control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in eight years after the midterm elections in then President George W. Bush`s second term, the U.S. political landscape will likely shaken up for the time being. President Barack Obama will likely become a lame duck in the next two years of his presidency and be in confrontation with the Republicans over immigration reform and other bills.