[…] The election of at least 71 women to the U.S. House of Representatives -- a few more might be added when still-contested races are settled -- and 16 to the U.S. Senate in the 2006 midterm election sets a new record for women in the U.S. Congress. This display of women’s growing political power also made history by elevating the first woman to the third most important post in the U.S. government.

[…] Calling Iraq "the central front in this war on terror," he said he is looking forward to listening to the ideas from the new Democratic leaders of Congress "on the best way to support our troops on the front lines – and win the war on terror." Bush also said he is looking forward to hearing recommendations from the bipartisan Iraq Study Group led by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton.

[…] That contest, the final result to be announced among 33 Senate races in 2006, shifted political control of the Senate. When the 110th Congress convenes in January 2007, Democratic senators and representatives will serve as committee chairs and a Democrat will be speaker of the House of Representatives. Allen, in his November 9 concession speech, followed an honored tradition in U.S. politics by congratulating his successor well.

[…] I believe that the leaders of both political parties must try to work through our differences. And I believe we will be able to work through differences. I reassured the House and Senate leaders that I intend to work with the new Congress in a bipartisan way to address issues confronting this country. I invited them to come to the White House in the coming days to discuss the important work remaining this year and to begin conversations about the agenda for next year.

[…] The president said terrorists should “not confuse the workings of our democracies with a lack of will. Our nation is committed to bringing you to justice. Liberty and democracy are the source of America's strength, and liberty and democracy will lift up the hopes and desires of those you're trying to destroy,” he said. Bush also pledged that the United States would continue to stand with the Iraqi people. “We know you want a better way of life, and now is the time to seize it,” he said.

[…] Because most states accept “absentee” ballots mailed on or before Election Day, it could be a few days before all ballots are received. Some states already have counted most of their absentee ballots, while others states have yet to do so. Additionally, many states have not yet counted provisional ballots, which are cast by voters whose eligibility to vote is unclear on Election Day. Before these ballots can be counted, the voters must be deemed eligible.

[…] Although Election Day is not a national holiday in the United States, nine states have declared it a state holiday. Across the nation, many public and private employers allow employees to take time off from work to cast their ballots. Many states close schools because the schools serve as polling places. Town halls, places of worship, community centers and shopping centers are among the thousands of public and private facilities designated as polling places.