To his credit, House Speaker John Boehner wasted little time in responding to Barack Obama’s absurd assertion in the State of the Union that “we’ve halted the progress of [Iran’s] nuclear program.” To make the point that Obama’s living in an alternate reality, Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress on Feb. 11, specifically on “the grave threats radical Islam and Iran pose to our security and way of life.” Boehner said, “There’s a serious threat that exists in the world and the president last night kind of papered over it.” But here’s the kicker: Boehner didn’t talk to the White House first. “The Congress can make this decision on its own,” he explained. “I don’t believe I’m poking anyone in the eye.” Actually, it was almost certainly a poke, given how many times Obama has made decisions on his own. Indeed, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest complained, “The protocol would suggest that the leader of one country would contact the leader of another country when he’s traveling there. This particular event seems to be a departure from that protocol.” The White House is worried about “protocol,” but could care less about the Constitution. Or a nuclear Iran. Boehner also added feistily, “[Obama] expects us to stand idly by and do nothing while he cuts a bad deal with Iran. Two words: ‘Hell no!’ We’re going to do no such thing.”

Update: The address has been moved to March 3 and Obama announced he will not meet Netanyahu during the visit.