Republican control across Congress confirmed
The Republicans have won the majority of seats in the House of Representatives, our US partner network NBC News has projected.
It means the Republicans will control both houses of Congress when Donald Trump takes office in January.
Last week, the president-elect’s party flipped three Democratic Senate seats to win control of the upper chamber.
His power will also be backed by a Supreme Court with a 6-3 conservative majority that includes three justices he appointed.
What does this mean?
With a Republican-controlled Congress, Trump will be able to quickly fill out his cabinet and other top administration roles.
He’ll also be able to advance his agenda for at least the next two years.
By contrast, during the past two years of divided government, Joe Biden has had little success in passing legislation and Congress has struggled to perform its most basic function of providing the money needed to keep the government open.
This is known as gridlock.
However…
US Senate Republicans have chosen John Thune as their next leader.
Shrugging off pressure from Donald Trump supporters to pick a president-elect loyalist, they elected the senator who has a close relationship with many of his fellow Republicans.
The 63-year-old’s victory is a sign that the Senate could keep some degree of independence from Trump.
Some of Trump’s loudest supporters have expressed concern that Mr Thune might not deliver on some of Trump’s campaign promises.
He currently serves as the chamber’s number two Republican and will succeed 82-year-old Mitch McConnell.