Democrats expand majorities in Congress

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats expanded their U.S. Senate majority in Tuesday's election, but aides said they would likely fall just short of one big enough to block Republican procedural hurdles that can kill legislation.

Still, Democrats expressed hope that if they get close to a "filibuster-proof majority" of 60 in the 100-member chamber, a few moderate Republicans will join them to approve major measures in the new Congress that convenes in January.

"They are going to have to be more cooperative. They have to realize their old way of just blocking everything just doesn't work for them," one aide said.

"Heck, they party got its butt kicked tonight and (Senate Republican Leader Mitch) McConnell barely won another term," the aide said.

Riding an anti-Republican wave generated largely by the unpopularity of President George W. Bush, Democrats expanded their majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives.

By picking up four seats with several other Senate contests yet to be decided, Democrats had increased their majority to 55 of the Senate's 100 seats, and figured that they would get at least a few more.

"There is no way in hell of getting 60," one aide said after reviewing Senate races, many of them yet to be decided. "But I think we gain at least six seats, maybe seven."

Overall 35 Senate seats were up for election, 23 held by Republicans, the others by Democrats. Many of the races involving seats held by Republicans were seen as competitive.

All 435 House seats were up for election. Democrats now control the chamber, 235-199 with one vacancy. MSNBC projected that Democrats would increase their majority to 261-174.

Two former Democratic governors, Mark Warner of Virginia and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, won seats held by Republicans, retiring Sen. John Warner and Sen. John Sununu, respectively.

In addition, Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, wife of 1996 Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole, was unseated by Democratic state senator Kay Hagan. And Democratic U.S. Rep. Tom Udall won the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Pete Domenici of New Mexico.

Along with McConnell, Sens. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Susan Collins of Maine fended off fierce challenges and won, television networks projected.

"Winston Churchill once said that the most exhilarating feeling in life is to be shot at -- and missed," McConnell declared after his victory over Democrat Bruce Lunsford.

With Democratic candidate Barack Obama projected to be the next president, the new Congress that convenes in January should be able to keep a long list of campaign promises.

They include ones to withdraw U.S. troops from the Iraq war, roll back tax cuts for the rich and move to end the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

But regardless of how many seats Democrats pick up, record federal deficits and the poor state of the economy will limit what they can do.

Democrats would likely have to limit or postpone any big new spending programs, such as ones to expand health care, upgrade education and advance renewable energy technology.

Democrats won the Senate two years ago, but Republicans routinely blocked legislation on matters from withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq and stimulating the economy to health care and energy.

"Republicans will have to think strategically about when they'll have to filibuster" in the new Congress, said Andrew Taylor, a political scientist at North Carolina State University.

Rep. Chris Shays of Connecticut, the final Republican in the largely liberal and moderate Northeast United States, was among those defeated.

Among the senators who easily won re-election was Democratic Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. But he will have to give up his seat since with an Obama victory, Biden will become the new vice president.

(Editing by David Wiessler)