"We have done what needs to be done to get a stronger, more durable foundation under the economy," Speaker Paul Ryan said. | J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo Ryan says he’s leaving behind ‘a darn good legacy’

House Speaker Paul Ryan is pushing back against reports that his congressional legacy will be overshadowed by a perceived deference to President Donald Trump.

Since announcing last week that he's not seeking reelection and will retire from Congress in January, the Wisconsin Republican has come under criticism in both national and local media for not doing enough to stand up to the commander in chief or sticking to his long-held conservative views on fiscal spending.


In an interview that aired Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," Ryan ticked off some legislative accomplishments, including the recent $1.5 trillion tax cut and establishing "empowerment zones."

"We have done what needs to be done to get a stronger, more durable foundation under the economy," the speaker said, adding that he's "excited" about the GOP's agenda, which will "focus on career and technical education."

"We're going to focus on getting people from welfare into jobs. And we can do this when we had a strong growing economy. And that's a darn good legacy," Ryan said.

Still, the speaker, after saying he and Trump "basically agreed on agenda," declined to say whether he and the president share the same vision for the Republican Party.

"I can't speak to that. You'd have to ask him that," Ryan said, adding the two "obviously" don't agree on trade.

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But, Ryan predicted Trump would come around to his way of thinking on other issues, like entitlements.

"I think he's going to realize that that’s an important thing. ... Look, two out of the three health care entitlement programs, he was there with us on health care. The fact of the matter is it didn't pass the Senate," Ryan said.

"Nine out of 10 things we're rolling in the same direction," Ryan added. "No two people are going to agree on everything. We have different styles. We have different ideas. But it's a big-tent party. And we represent different corners of the tent."