WHITE HOUSE

TEXT: Obama's Letter to Boehner, Reid on Joint Session of Congress

Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images

WASHINGTON - JULY 23: U.S. President Barack Obama (C) meets with Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) (L) in the Cabinet Room of the White House. Yesterday Boehner walked left debt negotiation talks with the Obama Administration, but accepted an invitation to meet with Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) (R), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-AZ) and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-MD) today. (Photo by Kristoffer Tripplaar-Pool/Getty Images)

Updated: August 31, 2011 | 6:36 p.m.
August 31, 2011 | 12:12 p.m.

"Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. Leader:)

Our Nation faces unprecedented economic challenges, and millions of hardworking Americans continue to look for jobs. As I have traveled across our country this summer and spoken with our fellow Americans, I have heard a consistent message: Washington needs to put aside politics and start making decisions based on what is best for our country and not what is best for each of our parties in order to grow the economy and create jobs. We must answer this call.

Therefore, I respectfully request the opportunity to address a Joint Session of Congress on September 7, 2011, at 8:00 p.m. It is my intention to lay out a series of bipartisan proposals that the Congress can take immediately to continue to rebuild the American economy by strengthening small businesses, helping Americans get back to work, and putting more money in the paychecks of the Middle Class and working Americans, while still reducing our deficit and getting our fiscal house in order. It is our responsibility to find bipartisan solutions to help grow our economy, and if we are willing to put country before party, I am confident we can do just that.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA"

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