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Democrats seal US Senate victory Democrats seal US Senate victory
(20 minutes later)
Republican George Allen has admitted defeat in the Virginia race for the US Senate, sealing Democratic mid-term victories in both houses of Congress.Republican George Allen has admitted defeat in the Virginia race for the US Senate, sealing Democratic mid-term victories in both houses of Congress.
"The people of Virginia have spoken and I respect their decision," Mr Allen told a crowd of supporters."The people of Virginia have spoken and I respect their decision," Mr Allen told a crowd of supporters.
He confirmed the victory of his opponent, Jim Webb, giving Democrats a 51-49 majority in the Senate.He confirmed the victory of his opponent, Jim Webb, giving Democrats a 51-49 majority in the Senate.
The Democrats had already captured the House of Representatives in Tuesday's US mid-term elections.The Democrats had already captured the House of Representatives in Tuesday's US mid-term elections.
Mr Allen said he had telephoned his opponent to congratulate him. Levers of power
The BBC's Adam Brookes says the loss of control of both houses of Congress will make President George W Bush's last two years in office extremely difficult.
He will need to secure the Democrats' approval for any proposals that require the backing of Congress.
The Senate victory will also give the Democrats key posts on powerful congressional committees - and will also gain them more control over the Bush administration's purse strings.
The Democrats will have the right to hold hearings and approve presidential appointments, including those to the Supreme Court.
Our correspondent says the Democrats' win in the Senate will also significantly their strengthen the position from which they launch their bid for the presidency in 2008.
Virginia defeat
In his speech, Mr Allen said he had telephoned his opponent to congratulate him.
Mr Webb had been leading by about 7,000 votes, and although Mr Allen could have demanded a recount, it became clear that a further results check was unlikely to alter the result.Mr Webb had been leading by about 7,000 votes, and although Mr Allen could have demanded a recount, it became clear that a further results check was unlikely to alter the result.
The BBC's Adam Brookes in Virginia says Mr Allen had been tipped to be a future presidential contender, but his campaign went disastrously wrong. Our correspondent says Mr Allen had been tipped to be a future presidential contender, but his campaign went disastrously wrong.
He was derided in the media for comments which were seen as racist, and appeared to be embarrassed about suggestions that he had Jewish ancestry, while facing a Democratic opponent who was strong on the key issue of national security.He was derided in the media for comments which were seen as racist, and appeared to be embarrassed about suggestions that he had Jewish ancestry, while facing a Democratic opponent who was strong on the key issue of national security.
Control of the Senate and its committees will give Democrats the right to hold hearings and approve presidential appointments, including those to the Supreme Court.