Obama: I'll Act on Immigration by the End of the Year

President Barack Obama reiterated his vow to take executive action on immigration reform by the end of the year.

After no success from Congress, Obama said Wednesday he feels "obligated to do everything lawfully within my authority."

Obama said he has shown patience and sought bipartisan cooperation, and dismissed concerns that executive action would make a bipartisan bill less likely.

“If folks are serious about getting immigration done, go ahead, pass a bill and get to my desk, then the executive action goes away,” Obama said in a news conference one day after Republicans won huge victories in the midterm elections to recapture the Senate.

He didn't provide specifics on what his action would include, though said he would reach out to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and presumed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

"What I’m not going to do is just wait," Obama said. "I think it's fair to say I've shown a lot of patience."

Obama said he has "no doubt there will be some Republicans who are angered or frustrated by any executive action" he might take, but added, "those are folks who are also deeply opposed to immigration reform in any form."