Obama to deliver State of the Union address on Jan. 28

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. House Speaker John Boehner on Friday formally invited President Barack Obama to deliver the annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on January 28, and Obama accepted the traditional invitation, the White House said.

In a letter to Obama, the Republican from Ohio welcomed the president to voice his plans for the year ahead, particularly in regards to reducing the unemployment rate. "In the coming year, Americans expect Washington to focus on their priorities and to look for common ground in addressing the challenges facing our country," he said.

Boeher added: "We look ahead to the new year and with it the annual tradition of the president's State of the Union address ... It's my honor to invite you to speak before a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol Building."

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney confirmed Obama had received the letter and accepted the invitation to deliver his State of the Union address on January 28 at 9 p.m. Eastern time. "He will be there," the spokesman said at the daily press briefing.

This year, Obama delivered his State of the Union speech on February 12.

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