Democrats have taken control of the US Senate after winning two run-off elections in the state of Georgia, paving the way for president-elect Joe Biden to enact his legislative agenda.
Democrats Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock defeated their Republican opponents by margins larger than the threshold required to trigger a recount under the state’s law.
To retain control of the Senate, the Republicans needed to win just one of the run-off races. But the Democrats’ victories have delivered slim majorities in both chambers of Congress to Biden, reshaping the balance of power in Washington.
The triumph of Democrats means the Senate will be split 50-50, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris having a tie-breaking vote which will allow Democrats to control the chamber.
Warnock became the first Black Democrat elected to the Senate from the South with his victory against Senator Kelly Loeffler.
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Ossoff, a documentary filmmaker who has not held public office, will become the youngest member of the Senate.
