Obama defends legacy in letter to American people
US President Barack Obama acclaimed his outgoing administration's accomplishments yesterday in a letter to the American people defending a legacy on health care and other issues that his successor Donald Trump has vowed to dismantle.
The White House released the president's letter along with reports from each of his cabinet secretaries describing the progress made since Obama took office eight years ago with the world's largest economy spiralling towards depression.
"As I prepare to pass the baton and do my part as a private citizen, I'm proud to say that we have laid a new foundation for America," he said.
He cited the turn-around in the US economy, the scaled back military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, a sharply reduced dependence on foreign oil, and the Paris climate agreement as among his administration's important accomplishments.
But near the top of his list was the Affordable Care Act, the signature health care reform that Democrat Obama prizes and Republican Trump has vowed to ditch.
Obama has launched a parting offensive to try to save it, making a rare visit to Congress on Wednesday to rally Democrats for what is shaping up as the first major fight of the next administration.
Vice President-elect Mike Pence made his own trip to Capitol Hill to strategize with Republicans, who control the House and Senate and will have the White House as well once Trump takes office on January 20.
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