Democrats reach 51 seats in the Senate in the US

Democrats secured 51 Senate seats in the U.S. midterm elections, according to unofficial results, giving the party a outright majority in the chamber. The milestone follows the midterm congressional elections and marks a shift from the previously evenly split Senate. Control of the Senate matters because it determines which party sets the chamber's agenda, confirms judicial and executive nominees, and oversees federal spending. With 51 seats, Democrats can advance legislation and confirmations without relying on a power-sharing arrangement. What to watch next is the finalization of vote counts and the seating of the newly elected senators when the next Congress convenes.