Pelosi to Reid: Immigration before climate is ‘fine’

Ianus · 04-21-2010, 08:39 PM

I guess if the Speaker is fine with it the leadership must be on the same page.......

Quote:

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) she is “fine” with the Senate taking up immigration reform before climate change legislation.

Pelosi made the comments in a private meeting on Tuesday, according to a Democratic aide.

The aide stressed that the discussion was not about doing one of the high-profile issues instead of the other.

“The conversation was really about timing, not an either-or kind of thing, but timing,” said the aide, who described the talks as a routine meeting of bicameral leaders.

“It is all about what the Senate can move first and pass,” the aide said Wednesday. “Obviously on both of these items – immigration and comprehensive energy and climate legislation -- we are waiting on the Senate to act.”

“If they [the Senate] can do immigration first, that is fine,” the aide continued, adding that Pelosi told Reid “if you could do immigration first that would work. Both of these initiatives have very strong support in the caucus to do.”

Both issues are high priorities for different constituencies in the Democratic party that are also controversial. But climate change has been a key personal priority for Pelosi.

The House has already approved a climate bill and leaders are on record as saying the House will not take up immigration reform until the Senate acts.

President Barack Obama, however, has come under criticism from Hispanic lawmakers for not pushing for aggressively on immigration reform, and Reid recently said the Senate would look to move forward on the issue.

Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) plan to unveil a broad climate and energy measure on April 26. But it remains unclear whether they can gain traction for legislation that includes controversial limits on greenhouse gases.

If Senate leaders bring an immigration bill to the floor, it could squeeze efforts to tackle climate change because Senate lawmakers have several other election-year priorities, such as the debate over a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

DA User · 04-21-2010, 09:51 PM

Looks like CIR first, awesome!

Mona Lisa · 04-21-2010, 09:53 PM

Now the real question is can immigration come as a priority against the financial reform they were seeking to do.

DA User · 04-21-2010, 09:58 PM

CIR bill in the senate can come at anytime now. Its probably going to be after Memorial day recess.

manny · 04-21-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

CIR bill in the senate can come at anytime now. Its probably going to be after Memorial day recess.

I hope so. We really need to get this issue resolved. Climate is somewhat important, but immigration is affecting millions of people currently. It's not just a political issue, its a social one, and a humanitarian one. This seems to parallel the Civil Rights Movement in the 60's. And I promise you this, we will prevail like African Americans did. =]

Biblio · 04-21-2010, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mona Lisa

Now the real question is can immigration come as a priority against the financial reform they were seeking to do.

Congress is going to try financial reform, regardless if they take up immigration or not. I read somewhere that they are starting next week.

Dukem88 · 04-21-2010, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mona Lisa

Now the real question is can immigration come as a priority against the financial reform they were seeking to do.

Financial reform isnt a huge overhaul, its just a change of regulations. I think everyone is under the impression that Obama is coming out with a huge overhaul for everything since Health Care was big and Immigration will probably be even bigger. But this financial stuff is going to happen quick and they'll move right on to the next thing. The question is, will it be climate change or immigration.

Mona Lisa · 04-22-2010, 01:47 AM

Thanks for clearing that up. I was picturing this whole health care part 2 all over again. Hopefully its quick

DA User · 04-22-2010, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manny

I hope so. We really need to get this issue resolved. Climate is somewhat important, but immigration is affecting millions of people currently. It's not just a political issue, its a social one, and a humanitarian one. This seems to parallel the Civil Rights Movement in the 60's. And I promise you this, we will prevail like African Americans did. =]

What surprises me that millions of people are actually doing something to get the CIR done.

Who is pushing Climate Bill and/or Financial Regulation bill like CIR in the past 10+ years? and yet they want to wait for CIR?

Millions of live are being ruined. Families are being torn apart everyday.

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Pelosi to Reid: Immigration before climate is ‘fine’