In a letter to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) obtained by The Hill, Texas governor Rick Perry offers up a challenge: “I am in Washington Monday and would love to engage you in a public debate about my Overhaul Washington plan versus the congressional status quo.”

On Tuesday, Gov. Perry introduced his “Overhaul Washington” plan, calling for “a part-time Congress where their pay is cut in half, their office budgets are cut in half, and their time in Washington is cut in half.”

It is a highly unusual step for a presidential candidate to challenge a congressional leader for a debate, and it is even more unusual for Perry to actively seek out a debate opportunity. As recently as a few weeks ago, there was speculation that he would actually skip some debate performances.