Republicans hold onto Senate, House majorities in sweeping victory over Democrats

The U.S. Republican Party on Wednesday managed to retain control of both chambers of the U.S. Congress, bagging two branches of the U.S. government and eyeing the third.

Republicans went into the Senate race with 54 seats and kept at least 51 in the 100-seat chamber, according to projections from major U.S. TV networks.

The battle for Senate majority, though overshadowed by the Presidential Election, was every bit as heated as many analysts predicted the Democrats to gain a slight margin riding on their presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's healthy poll numbers in several battleground states.

But crucial Republican wins in the states of Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Wisconsin saw the Democrat's effort thwarted.

The Republicans had an easier job defending their majority in the House of Representatives, with major U.S. news outlets projecting the GOP to keep 239 seats in the 435 member group.

The Democrats needed to occupy 30 more seats during the election but snatched less spots than expectation.

"It is my hope and intent that we succeed in the years ahead by working together with our colleagues across the aisle to strengthen our national and economic security," said veteran Republican Senator Mitch McConnell.

McConnell, who will serve as the Senate Majority leader, also congratulated fellow Republican Donald Trump, saying "after eight years of the Obama administration, the American people have chosen a new direction for our nation."

After controlling the White House and the U.S. congress, the Republican Party is on course to appoint a conservative Justice in the U.S. Supreme Court, filling in the crucial slot vacated by late Justice Antonin Scalia.

With four Justices appointed by Republican presidents and four appointed by Democrats, the Supreme Court will likely tilt toward conservative values after the new appointment. Enditem