President Barack Obama will deliver the first State of the Union address of his second term on Feb. 12 in front of a joint session of Congress. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, extended the customary invitation to the president to deliver the speech, NBC News reported.

A senior White House administration official confirmed with ABC News Friday that Obama accepted the invitation.

From NBC News: 

Obama's speech is sure to include elements touching on the upcoming battle with congressional Republicans over taxes, spending and entitlements -- an outgrowth of the "fiscal cliff" deal at the beginning of this month. The president has also previously said that the recommendations from Vice President Joe Biden's gun violence task force would be part of his State of the Union speech.

“Our nation continues to face immense challenges, and the American people expect us to work together in the new year to find meaningful solutions,” Boehner wrote. "This will require a willingness to seek common ground as well as presidential leadership. For that reason, the Congress and the Nation would welcome an opportunity to hear your plan and specific solutions for addressing America’s great challenges.”

 

Reach Executive Producer Agnus Dei Farrant here.