Republicans win control of the US Senate and retain their House majority, giving a major boost to President Bush's legislative agenda.
Top Democrat leader resigns
 Mr Gephardt may be a contender for the presidency
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The Democrat's leader in the House of Representatives, Richard Gephardt, announces he will leave his post after the party's heavy losses in the mid-term elections. Mr Gephardt says he will step down when his term expires at the end of the year.
Huge boost for the Republicans
 Republican supporters celebrate in Hawaii
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Republicans will find it easier to push through their agenda in Congress after major gains in the mid-term elections. They will find less opposition to plans for tax cuts and enhanced homeland security.
Bush celebrates his victory
 The President had campaigned hard
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The Republican sweep of the US polls is being seen as very much a personal victory for President Bush, who becomes only the third US president in a century to make mid-term gains.
Economy was not the vote-swinger
 The Democrat leader attacked the economy
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The Democrats had played up the economy as the big issue but their arguments were not enough to sway the voters. They will now lose much of their power and influence in Congress.
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