Republicans take Senate as Democrats hope for House majority and a check on Trump's agenda

Republicans have won a majority in the US Senate but control of the US House of Representatives remained unclear last night, with many of the most competitive races still uncalled.

- Joan E Greve, Richard Luscombe, Lois Beckett

With Donald Trump having won the White House, the stakes for control of the House have grown, since it could serve as either the sole Democratic check on the forthcoming Trump presidency, or as the final Republican win that delivers a united pro-Trump government.

By midday yesterday, Republicans were ahead 199-181, according to the Associated Press (AP), after it called a Democratic hold in Illinois and a victory for a Republican incumbent in California during the morning.

North Carolina Republicans had won three seats previously held by Democrats, while Democrats flipped seats in Alabama and New York.

The US may have to wait days to learn who won the House, given that it took more than a week to make that call in 2022.

All 435 members of the House faced re-election, with Republicans looking to expand their narrow majority after two chaotic years in power. The Republican House speaker, Mike Johnson, was re-elected to a fifth term and is seen as likely to continue his leadership role if the Republicans are able to keep control of the chamber.

Elise Stefanik, another loyal Trump ally and the highest-ranking woman among House Republicans, won a sixth term in New York.

But control of the lower chamber appears to be a true toss-up, as Democrats only need to win five more seats than they did in 2022 to regain their majority.