President Barack Obama says he has spoken to the Republican leaders of the House and Senate and told them he looks forward to working together.

The president said some election nights are more fun than others. He said that regardless of who wins or loses, the outcome is a reminder that power in this country rests not with elected officials but with the people they serve.

Obama spoke at a news conference Wednesday in the East Room of the White House.

Democrats lost control of the House in Tuesday's midterm elections and lost seats in the Senate. The results were widely seen as a repudiation of Obama's agenda.