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Democrats seal US Senate victory Democrats seal US Senate victory
(about 1 hour 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. He said he did not want to cause "more rancour" by seeking a recount which he did not think would alter the outcome.
He confirmed the victory of his opponent, Jim Webb, giving Democrats a 51-49 majority in the Senate. The victory means Democrats control the Senate. They also secured the House of Representatives in Tuesday's poll.
The Democrats had already captured the House of Representatives in Tuesday's US mid-term elections. Mr Bush has pledged to work with his rivals, and said he was open to new ideas and suggestions.
But the BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington says the loss of both houses of Congress will make President George W Bush's last two years in office extremely difficult.
The Senate victory will also give the Democrats key posts on powerful congressional committees. They will also have more control over federal spending.
Levers of powerLevers 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.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. US SENATE href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/americas/06/vote_usa/html/899.stm" class="">Full mid-terms results
Virginia defeat Our correspondent says the Democrats' win in the Senate will also strengthen the position from which they launch their bid for the presidency in 2008.
In his speech, Mr Allen said he had telephoned his opponent to congratulate him. In his speech, Mr Allen said he had telephoned his Democratic opponent, James Webb, 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 further checks were unlikely to alter the result.
Our correspondent 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.
'Constructive'
Earlier, Mr Bush appealed to members of the US Congress to rise above party differences, despite a bitter campaign.
"It is our responsibility to put the elections behind us and work together" on the issues facing the US, he said.
He said a lunch with Democrat Nancy Pelosi, who is set to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives, had been "very constructive and very friendly".
Ms Pelosi has called for a change of strategy in Iraq, describing the current policy as a "catastrophic path".
Mr Bush said he was open to "any ideas and suggestions" on ways of achieving his goals in Iraq.