U.S. President Barack Obama says he will announce plans to promote jobs and economic growth in a speech to Congress next week.

Mr. Obama on Wednesday asked congressional leaders to call a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives for the speech on September 7. He said the country must deal with “unprecedented economic challenges.”

The president said he would announce what he called “bipartisan proposals” that Congress could immediately enact. The sluggish American economy is still reeling from the global economic downturn of 2008 and 2009, with about 14 million U.S. workers unemployed and millions more working part-time or in jobs they consider beneath their skill levels.

Mr. Obama’s re-election chances next year may largely hinge on the nation’s economic fortunes. He said lawmakers in Washington need to “put aside politics and start making decisions based on what is best for our country” and not political considerations.

News accounts say Mr. Obama may propose tax credits for companies that hire more workers, and possibly new spending for repairing schools and other public infrastructure. His plans are likely, however, to encounter stiff opposition from Republicans who oppose more government spending. They say too many federal regulations are hindering U.S. job growth and are proposing legislation to limit the scope of the restrictions.

Republican candidates seeking to oust Mr. Obama from the White House say he has mismanaged the American economy, the world’s largest. One of several debates among the Republican presidential contenders is scheduled for the same time next Wednesday night that Mr. Obama wants to address Congress. White House spokesman Jay Carney said there are numerous U.S. television channels that could decide which of the two events to broadcast.