million jobs over 59 months. the unemployment rate has fallen to 5%, the lowest in almost eight years. number nine, more americans are getting health coverage. the rate of uninsured in america dropped below 10% or the first time ever. people and6 million climbing have gained coverage as the affordable care act has taken effect. you can still sign up through january 31 at healthcare.gov. number eight, america's global leadership on climate change. last week in paris, nearly 200 countries came together to set the course for a low carbon future. it was only possible because america led with clean energy at home and strong diplomacy around the world. number seven, progress in the americas. we turned the page on an outdated, half-century old policy by reestablishing

diplomatic relations with cuba and reopening embassies in both the countries, allowing us to build greater ties between americans and cubans. number six, preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. we succeeded in forging a strong deal to stop iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. in fact, iran has dismantled thousands of centrifuges that and rich uranium -- enrich uranium. number five, standing strong against terrorism. even though we grieve at the attack of san bernardino, we are hitting isil harder than ever. in syria and iraq, isil is losing territory and we will not stop until we destroy the organization. number four, a 21st century trade deal to make sure our businesses can sell goods made in america across the asia-pacific. the transpacific partnership is the strongest, most pro-worker,

proenvironment trade agreement in history. it means america, not china, not anyone else, will write the rules of the global economy. number three, a pair of prisons miracles in washington. this week, congress passed a bipartisan budget that invests in middle-class priorities. it keeps the military the strongest in the world. it takes the threat of shutdowns and manufactured crises off the table for 26 been. bipartisan bill into law to help students. ne.ber two, love o no matter who you are, in america, you are free to marry the person you love because it is now the law in all 50 states. the number one reason i'm optimistic going into 2016 -- it is you, the american people. all of this progress because of you, because of workers rolling

up their sleeves and getting the job done. entrepreneurs starting new businesses. because of teachers and health workers and parents. all of us taking care of each other. because of our incredible men and women in uniform, serving to protect us all. because when we are united as americans, there is nothing we cannot do. that is why it has been a good year. that is why i'm confident we will keep achieving big things in the new year. happy holidays, everybody. sen. mcconnell: hello, i'm mitch mcconnell. i'm proud to represent kentucky in the united states senate. i'm honored to have served this past year as leader of the senate's new republican majority. you voted for this new majority last november and the senate was a mess. some thought it could never be cured of dysfunction. the new majority did not agree. we believe the senate can be restored to a place of high purpose again and we have made great strides over the past year proving it can.

here is how we did it -- we got committees working again, just like we promised. we opened up the legislative process, just like we promised. we gave senators in both parties more of a say and open a floodgate of legislative ideas. we do have a balanced budget for the first time since 2001. we were firm no child left behind and common core mandates, replacing a broken ball with the most -- law with the most significant reform in more than a dozen years. we address america's crumbling roads and bridges, passing the first transportation bill in a decade. in a time of economic uncertainty, we have tax relief for families and small businesses. we voted to empower job creation by doing things like lifting a 40 year ban on energy exports and enacted a measure that could help not down for and trade barriers. at a time of diverse global threats, we voted to enact

significant military acquisition reform and provided funding to modernize our armed forces. we voted to help those who suffered from the v.a. scandal and to give our troops the support they need to better confront threats like isil. we passed legislation to help protect your personal financial information from cyber attackers. we made important reforms to help improve the viability of programs you look to for retirement like medicare. we work together to extend a hand of compassion to wounded veterans and bring hope to victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. when it came to some of washington's artificial dramas, we were able to pass real, permanent solutions instead of more temporary patches. these are just a few of the measures the new senate has passed this year. many issues languish for years. some assumed to be do different -- too difficult for any majority to address, the republican senate you