Pelosi Okay On Delaying Climate Bill in Lieu of Immigration

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) calls controversial climate change legislation the “flagship issue of my speakership.” In fact she noted that never before has a speaker of the house been so concerned about environment and climate change.

But the speaker indicated Thursday she wouldn’t stand in the way of the Senate moving an immigration reform bill before it touches the climate package.

“If the Senate is ready with an immigration bill, we don’t want anybody holding it up for any reason,” Pelosi said. “Send it to us.”

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are applying pressure to President Obama and Democratic leaders to move an immigration overhaul measure soon. But Carol Browner, Mr. Obama’s top environment advisor, said earlier in the week that she thought the climate plan was “doable.”

What remains to be seen is if they can do both, especially after the intense health care reform debate has many lawmakers still reeling.

Still, Pelosi remained confident that lawmakers could move the climate bill through the Senate. On Wednesday, the California Democrat said she looked forward to “working with the Senate” and getting a bill to the president’s desk.