US President Barack Obama says the mid-term election in which Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives reflect Americans' frustration with the pace of economic recovery.
The Republicans captured 60 seats to take control of the House of Representatives. The Democrats clung on to the Senate despite losing seats.
Mr Obama told a news conference at the White House on Wednesday that he took "direct responsibility that we have not made as much progress as we need to make" and acknowledged he had to do a better job to reduce the country's 9.6% unemployment rate.
"People are frustrated with the pace of our economic recovery. They want jobs to come back faster, they want pay checks to go further, they want to know that their tax dollars are being spent wisely, not wasted, and that we're not going to leave our children a legacy of debt."
Mr Obama pledged to find common ground with the Republicans on key issues.
Republicans have vowed to roll back some of Mr Obama's prime accomplishments, which include healthcare and financial regulatory reforms.
He acknowledged it will be hard to find common ground but says it is important for Republicans and Democrats to work together to focus on jobs, security and the future.
