Republicans tighten grip on reins of power

REPUBLICANS expanded their hold on US Congress in Tuesday's elections and Democrat Tom Daschle became the first senate leader in half a century to be voted out of office.

Republicans looked set to hold at least 53 of the 100 senate seats, two more than they now have, and a slim majority of the 435-member house in the new 109th congress, which will allow them to wield greater power in the US capital.

Senate majority leader Bill Frist said it looked likely Republicans would win a total of 55 seats in the senate and add at least three seats in the house.