THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release August 31, 2011 TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE MAJORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE August 31, 2011 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 # # # JOHN A. BOEHNER orrict ONO ll 232 s. cmrot an tom. SPEAKER ut the Zllintteb ?tati2z ibuusr uf August 31, 2011 President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: Thank you for your letter requesting time to address a Joint Session of Congress next week. 1 agree that creating a better environment for job creation must be our most urgent priority. For months, the llouse has been implementing an agenda designed to reduce economic uncertainty, remove unnecessary government barriers to private--sector job creation, and help small businesses, and we welcome the opportunity to hear your latest proposals. As your spokesperson today said, there are considerations about the Congressional calendar that must be made prior to scheduling such an extraordinary event. As you know. the House of Representatives and Senate are each required to adopt a Concurrent Resolution to allow lor a Joint Session of Congress to receive the President. And as the Majority Leader announced more than a month ago, the llouse will not be in session until Wednesday, September 7, with votes at 6:30 that evening. With the significant amount of time -- typically more than three hours -- that is required to allow for a security sweep of the House Chamber before receiving a President, it is my recommendation that your address be held on the following evening, when we can ensure there will be no parliamentary or logistical impediments that might detract from your remarks. As such, on behalf ofthe bipartisan leadership and membership of both the House and Senate, I respectfully invite you to address a Joint Session of Congress on Thursday, September 8, 201 1 in the llouse Chamber, at a time that works best for your schedule. We look forward to hearing your ideas and working together to solve America's jobs crisis. Sincerely.