Obama asks for joint session of Congress on Sept. 7 to push jobs plan

President Obama has asked for a joint session of Congress on Sept. 7 to present his plan for jobs.

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, Obama said it is his intention to "lay out a series of bipartisan proposals that the Congress can take immediately to continue to rebuild the American economy."

The president said the proposals focus on "strengthening small businesses, helping Americans get back to work, and putting more money back in the paychecks of the middle class."

Reiterating a message he has emphasized regularly in recent trips across the country, Obama concluded his letter by saying, "If we are willing to put country before party, I am confident we can do just that."