U.S. President Barack Obama has avoided a major political showdown with the opposition Republicans as he agreed to address the joint session of the Congress on September 8 instead of September 7 after objections from House Speaker John Boehner.
Mr. Obama, who wanted to outline his much-anticipated jobs creation plan next Wednesday evening, has now agreed to reschedule the Congressional speech on the economy, after the Speaker proposed an alternative date September 8.
"The President is focused on the urgent need to create jobs and grow our economy, so he welcomes the opportunity to address a Joint Session of Congress on Thursday, September 8th and challenge our nation's leaders to start focusing 100 per cent of their attention on doing whatever they can to help the American people," said Jay Carney, the White House Press Secretary in a statement on Tuesday.
The President wanted to address the Congress on September 7th, but the Speaker "determined Thursday would work better," the Press Secretary said after Mr. Boehner wrote to Mr. Obama that September 7 is not possible due to parliamentary and logistical problem.
Major media outlets termed Mr. Boehner’s response as unprecedented snub to the U.S. President.
Congressional historians say that Mr. Boehner's move was unprecedented, The New York Times reported.
"The Senate Historical Office knows of no instance in which Congress refused the President permission to speak before a Joint Session of Congress," Betty K. Koed, associate historian with the Senate, was quoted as saying by The Times.
"Though Obama would need both chambers of Congress to adopt a concurrent resolution in order to be allowed to speak, it is highly unusual for Congress to reject a president’s request," The Washington Post reported.
Mr. Obama, who wanted to outline his much-anticipated jobs creation plan next Wednesday evening, has now agreed to reschedule the Congressional speech on the economy, after the Speaker proposed an alternative date September 8.
"The President is focused on the urgent need to create jobs and grow our economy, so he welcomes the opportunity to address a Joint Session of Congress on Thursday, September 8th and challenge our nation's leaders to start focusing 100 per cent of their attention on doing whatever they can to help the American people," said Jay Carney, the White House Press Secretary in a statement on Tuesday.
The President wanted to address the Congress on September 7th, but the Speaker "determined Thursday would work better," the Press Secretary said after Mr. Boehner wrote to Mr. Obama that September 7 is not possible due to parliamentary and logistical problem.
Major media outlets termed Mr. Boehner’s response as unprecedented snub to the U.S. President.
Congressional historians say that Mr. Boehner's move was unprecedented, The New York Times reported.
"The Senate Historical Office knows of no instance in which Congress refused the President permission to speak before a Joint Session of Congress," Betty K. Koed, associate historian with the Senate, was quoted as saying by The Times.
"Though Obama would need both chambers of Congress to adopt a concurrent resolution in order to be allowed to speak, it is highly unusual for Congress to reject a president’s request," The Washington Post reported.
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