Sweeping victory gives the party control of Senate

Republicans stormed to victory in US midterm elections on Tuesday, thumping rival Democrats to clinch control of both houses of Congress and assuring a fractious final two years for Barack Obama's presidency.

Riding a wave of voter frustration with Washington incumbents and the unpopular policies of the Obama administration, Republicans seized at least seven seats from Senate Democrats to claim total congressional control for the first time since 2006.