Obama seeks joint session for jobs speech

President Obama, in a letter, asked for a joint session of the U.S. Congress next week to deliver his jobs speech Wednesday, according to UPI. The letter to congressional leaders requested a joint session for Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. EDT, The Hill reported. "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," Obama said in his letter. "We must answer this call." In his letter, Obama said he would outline proposals Congress could consider 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." Washington is responsible for finding "bipartisan solutions" to help the economy grow, Obama wrote, "and if we are willing to put country before party, I am confident we can do just that." House Republicans this week announced a fall agenda that includes votes on a business tax break and bills that would roll back 10 regulations GOP committee leaders say impede economic and job growth.