WASHINGTON (AP) -- New York's Senator Charles Schumer is endorsing a proposal to mix Republicans and Democrats without a dividing aisle for the State of the Union speech to show unity after the Arizona tragedy.

Schumer says the idea by Sen. Mark Udall of Colorado is a great way to start off the new session in a bipartisan manner, in keeping with President Barack Obama's call for more civil political discourse.

In a speech Wednesday, Obama called for Americans to act in a way that honors those who died and survived the Tucson shooting a week ago that wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Schumer is chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee.

Obama's State of the Union speech before a joint session of Congress is January 25.

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