The chairman of the Republican National Committee has called resounding Republican mid-term victories a “direct rejection of the Obama agenda”.

“[Americans] want nothing to do with the policies of Barack Obama,” Reince Priebus told reporters on Wednesday.

Republicans made historic gains, winning control of both chambers of Congress, because their policies resonated with the electorate, he said.

Mr Obama will respond later to what was a terrible result for Democrats.

“This was all about a direct rejection of the Obama agenda,” said Mr Priebus.

The president said very clearly that his policies were on the ballot and voters were very clear in return, he added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed to “work together” with Mr Obama on issues where they can agree.

Working within a two-party political system did not mean “we have to live in perpetual conflict”, he added.