In what the White House has called a departure from diplomatic protocol, Republican House Speaker John Boehner has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress on Iran. Boehner’s announcement comes one day after President Obama vowed in his State of the Union address to veto any new sanctions on Iran. Boehner acknowledged he did not tell the White House before inviting Netanyahu.

House Speaker John Boehner: “I did not consult with the White House. The Congress can make this decision on its own. I don’t believe I’m poking anyone in the eye. There is a serious threat that exists in the world, and the president, last night, kind of papered over it. And the fact is, is that there needs to be a more serious conversation in America about how serious the threat is from radical Islamic jihadists and the threat posed by Iran.”