WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- In delivering his year-end address, President Barack Obama on Friday cited the improving domestic economy, the full legalization of same-sex marriage and progress made by his signature health care law as highlights of 2015.
In the White House briefing room, the commander-in-chief also noted certain issues that he expects will make an impact in 2016.
On the U.S. Economy
"As I look back on this year, one thing I see is that so much of our steady, persistent work over the years is paying off for the American people in big, tangible ways," he said in his opening remarks. "Our early actions to rescue the economy set the stage for the longest streak of private sector job growth on record with 13.7 million new jobs in that time."
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Continuing with his assessment of the economy, Obama noted that the national unemployment rate remains historically low and wages reached their largest growth levels since the end of the financial crisis in 2009. He credited the progress with stimulus efforts implemented by his administration in 2015.
On the Affordable Care Act
Obama applauded his Affordable Care Act for slashing the percentage of U.S. citizens without health benefits down to 10 percent "for the first time since records were kept" -- which he said amounted to 17 million additional Americans getting coverage.
Those remarks came just hours after the expiration of an extended deadline Thursday to sign up for 2016 coverage beginning Jan. 1 -- and the same day Congress passed a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that delayed a major government revenue stream, the so-called "Cadillac Tax," until 2020.
The hotly-contested excise tax, fought by Republicans and even many Democrats, seeks a 40 percent penalty on employers who offer expensive "Cadillac" coverage plans in an effort to keep health care costs in the marketplace down.
"Health care prices have grown to their lowest level in five decades," Obama said, adding that six million people signed up for new coverage starting Jan. 1.
On Other End-Of-Year Legislation
"I do want to thank Congress for ending the year on a high note," Obama said. "I got to sign an education bill that is going to fix some of the challenges that we had with No Child Left Behind and promises to invest more in high quality early childhood education."
"We signed a transportation bill ... [that] allows states and governments to plan and actually get moving, put people back to work rebuilding our roads and our bridges," he continued, noting that he was disappointed the bill wasn't "robust" enough or broader in its scope.
On Terrorism
In his address Friday, Obama said he believes the United States accomplished critical progress against terror in 2015 -- and pledged the fight will continually improve with the change of the calendar.
"[The Islamic State] has already lost about 40 percent of the populated areas it once controlled in Iraq and it is losing territory in Syria," he said. "As we keep up the pressure [in 2016] our terror campaign will continue to hit [terrorists] harder than ever -- taking out their leaders, their commanders and their forces.
"This holiday season all of us are united in our gratitude for [American servicemen and women's] service and we are thankful to their families, as well."
Obama said the Islamic State, which also goes by the acronyms ISIS and ISIL, will not be able to escape the attention of U.S. and coalition forces going forward. In fact, the president promised that law enforcement and intelligence agencies will focus on detecting and foiling terrorism "24/7" -- particularly domestic and "lone wolf" threats.
"Squeezing ISIL's heart , its core in Syria and Iraq will make it harder for them to pump their terror and propaganda to the rest of the world," he said. "As we know from San Bernardino ... we have to remain vigilant here at home."
On Climate Change
"Early investment ... ignited a clean energy industry boom," Obama said. "Our actions to help reduce our carbon emissions brought China to the table -- and last week in Paris, nearly 200 nations forged an historic agreement that was only possible because of American leadership."
On International Diplomacy
"Around the world, from reaching a deal to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, to reestablishing diplomatic relations with Cuba, to concluding a landmark trade agreement that will make sure that American workers and American businesses are operating on a level playing field -- that we, rather than China or other countries, are setting the rules for global trade."
"We have shown what is possible when America leads," he added.
On Same-Sex Marriage
"After decades of dedicated advocacy, marriage equality became a reality in all 50 states," the president said.
On His Remaining 13 Months in Office
Obama said although much progress has been made toward his administration's goals, there is still a bit of "unfinished business."
"I plan on doing everything I can, every minute of every day that I have left as president, to deliver on behalf of the American people," he said. "Since taking this office, I have never been more optimistic about the year ahead than I am right now.
"In 2016, I'm going to leave it out all on the field."
