The Republican party retook control of the U.S. Senate (seal pictured). Photo: U.S. Senate.

JNS.org – The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) said it played an “important role” in the Republican party retaking control of the U.S. Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

The GOP now holds an advantage of at least 52-45 over the Democrats in the Senate, with two independent senators and Louisiana’s race yet to be decided. The Republicans also expanded their majority in the House of Representatives to at least 246 out of 435 seats, the party’s largest majority since World War II.

“Our members contributed and raised millions of dollars for campaigns around the country,” RJC said in a statement. “The RJCPAC (political action committee) made significant contributions to critical races. And our grassroots events energized our members to participate in get-out-the-vote efforts. We are proud of the terrific men and women of the RJC who helped make a difference for the GOP in this important election year.”

RJC added that the new Republican-led Congress “will offer alternatives to the policies of the Obama administration and pursue critical priorities, including enhanced sanctions to prevent a nuclear Iran, economic reforms that will encourage job creation and put us back on a path of growth and prosperity for American families, as well as standing up to the undisguised hostility of the Obama administration against Israel and Prime Minister Netanyahu and rebuilding our essential relationship with Israel.”

The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC), meanwhile, said it hopes “that the powers and prestige of the president will not be a target of Republicans who are already looking to 2016.”

“NJDC looks forward to the months ahead to focus on the agenda of concerns for our country—voting rights, civil rights, economic growth and justice, immigration reform, accessible health care, and more,” NJDC said in a statement. “And of course we put support for a safe and secure State of Israel at the forefront of our efforts.”