(Bloomberg Politics) — President Barack Obama addressed the new Congress, Democrats' future, and overseas turmoil in an NPR interview published Monday, saying vetoes may lie ahead as Republicans take over the Senate for his final two years in office.

"There are going to be some areas where we disagree and, you know, I haven't used the veto pen very often since I've been in office," Obama said, according to a transcript. "Now I suspect there are going to be some times where I've got to pull that pen out, and I'm going to defend gains that we've made in health care. I'm going to defend gains that we've made on environment and clean air and clean water."

Obama said immigration was an area where his differences with some Republicans are too great to overcome. Asked by "Morning Edition" host Steve Inskeep whether he could work with Republicans whom he considers "captive to nativist elements of the party," Obama said, "Well, on immigration, I probably can't. [Iowa Representative] Steve King and I fundamentally disagree on immigration.