was instrumental in passing the historic affordable care act to get health insurance to millions for the first time. we stand on the doorstep of history. we recognize that. but most importantly, we stand so close to making so many individual lives better. reporter: president obama sharing a personal letter he wrote to reid recently, saying, i wouldn t have been president had it not been for your encouragement and support. we both saw something of ourselves in each other. a couple of outsiders who had take a punch and cared about the little guy. senate minority leader mitch mcconnell saying he was a pivotal figure, writing fondly of his old sparring partner. i never doubted that harry was always doing what he earnestly, deeply felt was right for nevada and our country. but one of reid s proudest accomplishments was his family. a father of five and grandfather to 19, his wife of 62 years saying she s heartbroken. well, in his own tribute, president biden listed some of harry reid