The Republican Party has secured control of the Senate, providing a significant advantage for President-elect Donald Trump to push his initiatives, appoint his Cabinet members, and confirm lifetime judicial positions, including potential vacancies on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Trump’s goals regarding taxes, healthcare, and energy will stand a better chance of success if the Republicans can also maintain their majority in the U.S. House, which, as of Wednesday morning, remains uncertain due to about 60 races still undecided.

The Republican Party has been favored throughout this election cycle, particularly in closely contested races located in states with vulnerable Democratic senators. Notably, the retirement of Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia has allowed the GOP an easy pickup in that traditionally Republican state.

The Republicans needed just one more win to reclaim the Senate, currently held 51-49 by Democrats. They achieved this on Tuesday and may even secure additional victories before the results finalizes.

It’s already evident from Tuesday’s results that the Senate will be led by a new Republican majority leader for the first time in a decade.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who has been the leadership figure for the Republicans since 2007, intends to step down from his position at the year’s end. Republican Senators John Thune of South Dakota, John Cornyn of Texas, and Rick Scott of Florida are all contenders to take his place, with the election set to take place a few weeks after Election Day.

Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is predicted to transition to the role of minority leader in the Senate.

The Senate holds the exclusive duty of confirming Cabinet appointees and judges, from federal district court positions to the U.S. Supreme Court, where four out of nine justices are approaching their 70s.

During the 2024 election cycle, Republicans have been proactive, defending 11 of their seats compared to 23 for the Democrats.

Three-term incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, was trailing GOP candidate Bernie Moreno by 4 percentage points as of midnight, with over 95% of the vote counted. Moreno is a car dealership owner and previously ran in the Republican Senate primary in Ohio in 2022.

However, it was the loss of independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn in Nebraska that solidified Republican control. The Associated Press confirmed the race for incumbent Republican Senator Debbie Fischer at 12:06 a.m. Wednesday, where she led Osborn by 2 percentage points.

Another significant victory took place in Montana, where Republican businessman and former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy triumphed over incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Tester. Trump had won that state by a substantial 16 points in 2020, and it has been trending more Republican in recent years.

There are still chances for Republicans to gain more seats.

In Pennsylvania, Republican businessman David McCormick was ahead by 1 point against incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey with nearly 97% of the vote counted as of 7:25 a.m. EST Wednesday.

In Wisconsin, two-term incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin was leading Eric Hovde, a businessman involved in real estate and banking, by 0.7 percentage points with almost 99% of votes counted around 7:00 a.m. EST. Hovde participated in the GOP Senate primary in 2012.

Additionally, U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., was trailing former Republican Representative Mike Rogers, who once chaired the House Intelligence Committee, by 0.2 percentage points with 96% of votes counted at about 7:25 a.m. EST Wednesday.

Republicans successfully defended two seats they held which Democrats targeted as polls suggested Senator Tester was likely to lose in Montana. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, won against Democratic Representative Collin Allred in Texas, and Senator Rick Scott defeated Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in Florida.

Democrats have secured at least one competitive win on Tuesday: Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland defeated former Governor Larry Hogan in a race that was anticipated to lean Democratic but grew competitive with Hogan’s moderate background and strong recognition.