Republicans take control of Senate but face battle to keep House majority

Republican Montana Senate candidate Tim Sheehy speaks during an election night watch party (Tommy Martino/AP)

Republicans have taken control of the US Senate and are fighting to keep their majority in the House of Representatives, which would produce a full sweep of power in Congress alongside Donald Trump in the White House.

A unified Republican grip on Washington would set the course for Mr Trump’s agenda or if Democrats wrest control of the House, it would provide an almost certain backstop, with veto power over the White House.