Obama Requests A Joint Session Of Congress For Major Jobs Speech

[onehandle]

Source: Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- Upping the stakes of his push for a major jobs plan, President Barack Obama has requested House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to call a joint session of Congress that would take place on September 7, 2011.

The letter, sent from the White House to the respective leaders, reads as follows:

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.

A request for comment from Speaker Boehner's office as to whether he will formally invite the president to address Congress was not immediately returned.

If the president's request is granted, the joint session would provide him with the type of audience that usually accompanies a State of the Union address. It would also add additional weight to an already critical push by the administration to shift political discussions to job creation.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/31/obama-joint-session-jobs_n_943471.html

---

Good. Use that bully pulpit.

[gordianot]

1. Same day as the Republican debate the fat ass drugster is throwing another hissy fit.

He is calling on Boner to say "NO". Another little drama to watch. Poor little Perry will have his public introduction delayed.

[frazzled]

2. Has a president ever been denied a request to speak?

I think it would be shocking, but I would not be surprised if the Republicans were to do it.

[whosinpower]

4. That is what I was wondering too

do you think they have the audacity to do so?

[Tx4obama]

44. House historian says public move by Boehner to tell Obama to change date is unprecedented.

@LukeRussert Luke Russert
House historian says public move by Boehner to tell #Obama to change date is unprecedented. Negotiations usually happen behind closed doors

http://twitter.com/#!/LukeRussert/status/109008908319850497

[JDPriestly]

49. And for good reason.

Article II, section 3 of the Constitution gives the president the authority to give the State of the Union message but also states

"he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either ot them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper"

It seems to me that the Constitution supports the authority of the President to convenes a session of Congress as needed.

This is not just a matter of dismissing or calling Congress back from a holiday. The Constitution specifically uses the words "on extraordinary Occasions." That gives the President a lot of leeway on this.

[totodeinhere]

56. I wonder if the president has the authority to specify the exact hour at which the session should

start. Of if the president invokes Article II, section 3 could Boehner say "alright the House will convene at 3 AM and you can give your speech then."

[JDPriestly]

59. It pretty much gives the president the authority to convene

the Congress when he chooses.

It says

"he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses."

The Congress and the speaker can otherwise regulate themselves, but this just happens to be a power granted to the President as I read it.

How else could you interpret this.

Beyond that, the Constitution in the 20th Amendment requires Congress to meet once a year. Convening the Congress does not appear to be a power particularly granted to the Speaker.

[SpiralHawk]

5. "Smirk." - RepubliCons Against America (R - Negatory)

[bluestateguy]

46. I do not believe so

Bill Clinton was invited to speak for his 1999 state of the union right smack in the middle of his Senate impeachment trial.

[JDPriestly]

50. The president is not "invited" to speak. The Constitution, at Article II, section 3

authorizes the president to convene Congress and speak to them when he wants to. Read it.

[bluestateguy]

51. It says nothing abotut the president speaking to Congress in person

The State of the Union was a written message from Thomas Jefferson until Woodrow Wilson.

Herbert Hoover went back to a written message, and then FDR resumed the in person speech.

Section 3 - State of the Union, Convening Congress

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Yes, he can call them into special session anytime he likes, but this says nothing about him delivering an in person speech.

[JDPriestly]

58. He has tradtitionally given speeches in Congress.

There is nothing wrong with it. If he has the authority to convene both Houses, then he may do so any time for any reason. The Constitution says nothing that would prevent him from convening both Houses for whatever purpose. It does not limit this authority except to say that it should be used on certain occasions.

He has the authority to do this and is in his rights. Boehner and Limbaugh should apologize. They are utterly wrong.

On edit, here is what it says about the convening of Congress other than by the President:

20th Amendment

Section 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#A1Sec8

[yodermon]

3. hope he doesn't give a half-assed milquetoast kum-bah-yah speech

which the right wing will lambaste as hard-core socialism. we'll see.

[SoapBox]

8. Ditto.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Old Codger]

32. IMHO

What he needs to do is come big or stay at home..... His best and maybe only real shot at reelection is to push hard for job creation bills, more stimulus, push for infrastructure work, and let the rethugs turn it all down and then push for more and more. Continually forcing them into a position of hurting the mainstream voting public by denying jobs is his best shot... He may still be able to pull it off without doing this but it would be close.

[mike_c]

6. I can't help but wonder what he'll give away before the bargaining even begins...

...in the name of being "bipartisan."

[SoapBox]

9. Ditto also...

Call me suspicious but it's from being burned time and time again...by him AND over the years by so many pols.

[SammyWinstonJack]

31. Really but what's left to give away, and why does he never learn?

:shrug:

[SoapBox]

7. It better be a REALLY good plan!

...get to the points Prez O...keep the blah, blah, blah out as well as the phony smoke-and-mirrors "tax credits/cuts" for hiring and give America something concrete to work with...no pun intended.

I simply don't know how we can get LOTS of jobs back here, with all those "free trade" deals. If they think that being a burger flipper, shelf stocker at Waldomart, or some other minimum wager, part-time, temp position is a job. It is NOT.

We need jobs that provide a livable wage. We need manufacturing jobs and production jobs. We need smart and educated persons to work in this country.

But with cuts in education, elimination of manufacturing of "stuff" right here...were sunk.

[rocktivity]

10. I LOVE IT!!!!

if only because it's EXACTLY what the Rethugs would do!!!!

:bounce:
rocktivity

[No Elephants]

11. Not sure I understand.

"It is my intention to lay out a series of bipartisan proposals that the Congress can take immediately"

Does he mean bipartisan proposals for steps (or measures) that Congress can take immediately?


What makes the things he plans to suggest to Congress "bipartisan?"

We'll soon see, I guess.

[Kelvin Mace]

12. Dear Mr. President

Apparently you haven't noticed that the GOP has not, and will not, EVER do ANYTHING you ask, even when it was originally THEIR idea. Why you have problems learning this lesson is a mystery, you seem like such a bright man.

Skip congress, address the nation, showcase that to get tax cuts for their corporate buddies, the GOP will turn its back on hurricane victims.

Point out the hypocrisy, quit enabling the hypocrisy, and LEAD!!

[No Elephants]

55. TV is not obligated to broadcast every speech he makes, but they will surely carry

any speeches he gives to a joint session because they are so rare.

Besides, he is impressing the American public with the importance of this, so they will tune in and listen up.

I think this is a good strategy, provided he gives a great speech; and that is his forte.

[Kelvin Mace]

61. Anytime a president has announced

he is making a "special address" to the nation, ALL networks have carried it.

The PUBLIC is who he needs to motivate. The PUBLIC is who needs to be educated about the GOP hypocrisy and loyalty to to the uber-rich. He can't say that in a joint session, since at best he will be jeered by the GOP, at worst some armed psycho in the Tea Party caucus will pull out a gun and try to assassinate him.

There is nothing to be gained from addressing Congress. His speech will be about the need to come together an be bi-partisan, which means, caving to 98% of GOP demands.

[GeorgeGist]

13. If their smoking joints ...

it would be worthwhile.

[MineralMan]

35. Why are their joints smoking? Have they been running

a long way?

[placton]

14. more of the same old bullshit

"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."


same proposals, same crappy ideas

[madrchsod]

16. what are the odds the boner won`t comply......

if he does how many republicans won`t show up......

[totodeinhere]

40. Why wouldn't he allow Obama to give a good Republican speech? n/t

[placton]

17. Obama Requests A Joint Session Of Congress For Major Jobs Speech

Source: Huffington

Upping the stakes of his push for a major jobs plan, President Barack Obama has requested House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to call a joint session of Congress that would take place on September 7, 2011.

"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.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/31/obama-joint-session-jobs_n_943471.html

---

NOT a major jobs speech at all, it seems. Just a rehash of his anti-SocSec (more freeze on the tax supporting same), patent bullshit (straight from the GOP plan), and on and on. I just cannot stomach this anymore.

[Frances]

18. Why are you judging the speech before it is given?

[jefferson_dem]

19. Unrec...

Debbie Downerism gone haywire.

[chelsea0011]

20. I hope RW Congress requests equal air time to respond why we don't need jobs

Should be entertaining.

[Cool Logic]

21. You are overlooking the PR benefits that such a speech would offer.

[tularetom]

22. "bipartisan proposals", "reducing our deficit", WTF?

Is ANYBODY still buying this crap?

As much as this fucking speech is being hyped it had better be more than another effort at his goddamn bipartisanship.

But I'm not optimistic at this point.

[JNinWB]

23. How sad for you! ("I just cannot stomach this anymore.")

I plan to watch and think the "Joint Session" jobs" speech is a great idea.

The entire country can watch the R Teatards---arms folded, faces scowling, seething Obama hatred. They will make no effort to hid this. Pass the popcorn.

Any jobs' proposals Obama makes must make it through the Tea Party House, which loathes him with a white hot fury. Now, we can watch them in full color!

[frylock]

24. kumbayah

[jaxx]

25. Unrec.

Your concern is noted and filed.

[SoapBox]

28. I agree WITH you...

so many replies to your post BUT...I think everyone needs to re-read that second paragraph:

"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."

...lay out a series of bipartisan proposals.
We usually know how that is gonna go over with the GOPBaggers.

...take IMMEDIATELY to continue to rebuild the American economy.
Uh huh...immediately? The Thugs will just say no...ya, their problem but it doesn't help Americans.

...putting more money in the paychecks of the Middle Class and working Americans.
Well, those of us that are working...anything helps but the bigger picture is jobs that pay a LIVABLE wage.

...while still reducing our deficit.
Pentagon? Military budget? The Congressional budget? Perks and breaks for mega-corps? Cut some of that
shit...I'll believe it when I actually see it. And do something about this:

"REPORT: 25 Corporations Paid More To Their CEO Last Year Than They Paid In Taxes"
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/08/31/308487/25-corporations-paid-more-to-ceo-taxes/

SO...IF the speech is serious and he and the Dems have some balls to stick it to the Thugs...I'll be happy. Until then
I've been disappointed over and over and over and over...

[MineralMan]

36. -1000

Why not wait, my DU friend and see what he says, then comment? This is really tiresome.

[JDPriestly]

26. Bipartisan = ineffective, unworkable, designed only to make the rich richer

and the poor poorer.

Obama has once again lost before he even got started.

Good heavens, doesn't this man ever, ever learn?

How did he ever get through Columbia and Harvard?

[MannyGoldstein]

27. It'll be interesting to see what Obama can propose given

the constraints that he's agreed to - zero tax increases, tremendous spending cuts, etc.

[watajob]

29. Oh, goody!

Another moving prime time oratory that accomplishes nothing. Shows over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

[november3rd]

30. Other plans

Ah, shoot! I'm afraid I have other plans that evening.

[russspeakeasy]

33. ...and they will call him a liar and he will just smile...

:evilfrown: ...This had better be good....and it had better be big...

[TomCADem]

34. Awesome! Let the GOP debate whether the earth is flat.

While the GOP tries to keep the focus on budget cuts, scheduling on Wednesday will show the contrast.

[YvonneCa]

37. Except that Boehner...

...just refused Wednesday and offered him Thursday. :popcorn:



http://www.speaker.gov/UploadedFiles/8-31-11_Speaker_Letter_to_POTUS_on_Joint_Session_Request.pdf

[TomCADem]

38. It's a request. Obama can just go forward with the speech.

Plus NBC and Politico, the sponsors of the debate like the contrast. Imagine the split screens. Better ratings.

[YvonneCa]

41. I hope you are right. He should do exactly...

...that. If he can't do it in the House chamber...then use the Capitol gallery or the Senate chamber (smaller, I know...so maybe he can't invite the whole House membership. :7 )

[TomCADem]

39. It's a request. Obama can just go forward with the speech.

Plus NBC and Politico, the sponsors of the debate like the contrast. Imagine the split screens. Better ratings.

[totodeinhere]

43. Obama can give a speech anytime he wants to, but if he wants to give it before a joint session

it has to be done while Congress is in session, and he doesn't not have the power to force Congress into session. Only the congressional leadership can so that.

[ljm2002]

45. Article 2, Section 3, Clause 2:

Calling Congress into extraordinary session; adjourning Congress

The President may call extraordinary sessions of one or both Houses of Congress. If the two Houses cannot agree on a date for adjournment, the President may adjourn both Houses to such a time as he or she thinks fit. The last time this power was exercised was in 1948, when President Harry S. Truman called a special session of Congress. That was the twenty-seventh time in American history when a president convened such a session.

I'm not saying he should, just pointing out that technically he certainly can force Congress into session.

[totodeinhere]

47. Thanks for the correction. n/t

[ljm2002]

48. Not that I'm an authority on the Constitution...

...far from it! I just recalled someone telling me that so I went and looked it up. Of course there is no way Obama would do it in this case, nor should he, so it's of purely academic interest in this discussion.

[totodeinhere]

42. Boehner wants to move the speech to Thursday so that it will be up against

the kick-off of the NFL season. If that happens I'm afraid Obama would lose the ratings battle to football. And I'm not sure what Obama can do about it since he cannot force the House to be in session. The House leadership has that power, not the president.

[Ineeda]

52. Constitutionally, he can.

[totodeinhere]

57. Yes, you are correct. I stand corrected on that.

But I guess it's a moot point now that he has agreed to postpone it until Thursday.

[JDPriestly]

60. Yes. Obama can convene a session of Congress under the

Constitution, Article II, Section 3. Members can choose to show up or not.

What kind of debate is conflicting with this date?

The 7th is the best date for the President's speech considering the state of our country.

[Tx4obama]

53. Thursday night is the NFL's football season kick-off. n/t

[YvonneCa]

54. Which is why Wednesday is...

...better. JMHO. :)