(November 9, 2006)—Sen. George Allen, R-Virginia, conceded Thursday afternoon, giving Democratic challenger Jim Webb the victory and giving the Democratic party control of both Houses of Congress for the first time in more than a decade.

The Democrats now have a 51-49 majority over Senate Republicans.

The Democratic Party won control of the House in Tuesday’s general election, but the Senate victory was in doubt until Allen’s concession.

"The people of Virginia have spoken," Allen said Thursday.

He said he respects their decision.

“I've called and congratulated Jim Webb and his team for his victory. They have the prevailing wins,” Allen said.

Allen told supporters that the margin of Webb’s victory, about 7,000 votes out of 2.4 million cast, gave him a legal right to seek a recount at taxpayer expense.

But he said that's a process that could drag on until Christmas and he says, out of respect for the people of Virginia, he doesn't want to cause "more rancor" with a process that is unlikely to change the outcome.

Montana Republican Conrad Burns conceded his race to Jon Tester earlier Thursday.

Senate Democratic leaders are pledging bipartisanship, just as House Democrats did earlier.

Our real mission is to work together and help the American family and to make a better America, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, told cheering Democrats Thursday in Washington as the party celebrated the win.

Schumer is credited with recruiting centrist candidates to challenge incumbent Republicans.

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