State of the Union set for January 24

President Obama is set to give his 2012 State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 24, a few days after the first three states in the Republican nominating process have made their choice known.

As per tradition, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) sent a letter to Mr. Obama Wednesday formally inviting him to give the address on that date to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber of the Capitol.

"As we work together to end this legislative year by advancing initiatives to help Americans struggling in a difficult economy, we must also look ahead for new opportunities to put solutions before politics," Boehner wrote, adding that "we welcome an opportunity to hear your new ideas for working with the Congress."

The Associated Press reports that the White House has accepted the offer, the result of closed-door negotiations involving the White House and congressional leaders.

Boehner's call for putting "solutions before politics" comes as the White House and congressional Democrats engage in a contentious fight with Republicans over how to extend the payroll tax holiday before the end of the year, among other issues.

A Republican bill to extend the tax cut passed the House Tuesday despite a veto threatfrom Mr. Obama and opposition from Senate Democrats, and the two sides are now seeking compromise on how to pay for the extension. Meanwhile, the payroll tax standoff is threatening an agreement to avert a government shutdown that could come this weekend without a deal.

In September, Boehner and the White House clashed over a proposed date for a jobs speech by Mr. Obama, with the president ultimately agreeing to move the date he had initially proposed, which coincided with a Republican presidential debate.

The January speech does not conflict with any high-profile Republican events and is likely the last chance for Mr. Obama to make a formal address to Congress before voters decide whether he deserves another term.