MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

US: Democrats win control of Congress

Democrats have won control of both houses of Congress for the first time since 1994 after an upset victory in Virginia.

Jim Webb's win over incumbent Republican Senator George Allen gave Democrats their 51st seat in the 100-seat Senate.

Allen was the sixth Republican senator defeated in Tuesday's elections.

The Senate had teetered at 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans for most of Wednesday, with Virginia hanging in the balance.

Webb's victory ended Republican hopes of eking out a 50-50 split, with Vice President Dick Cheney wielding tie-breaking authority.