House Speaker John Boehner has invited President Barack Obama to deliver the State of the Union speech on Jan. 25 to a joint session of Congress.
Photo: James Manners
In a letter to Obama obtained by The Associated Press, Boehner mentions the Arizona shooting that left six dead and 14 injured. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was critically wounded. Boehner writes that in the wake of tragedy, "we must never waiver from our obligation."
The address will be Obama's second State of the Union speech, but his fourth address to a joint session of the House and Senate.
Boehner became speaker following a Republican wave in last November's midterm elections. In his letter, he says the new Congress provides a "renewed opportunity to find common ground and address the priorities of the American people."