Pelosi's immigration road show
Nancy Pelosi is harnessing the same level of energy to push immigration reform that she brought to her biggest legislative achievement when she ran the House: the health care overhaul.
The California Democrat does not wield the speakers gavel anymore, but shes hitting the road to bring attention to immigration, which she calls her top legislative priority. In recent weeks, shes pitched an overhaul to audiences from Miami to Los Angeles to Laredo, Texas.
The Pelosi immigration road show is unfolding as the issue remains on the back burner in the Republican-controlled House.
Democrats on and off Capitol Hill are frustrated that legislation has stalled and divided over the best way forward. But in an interview this week from her Capitol office, Pelosi said Democrats need to stay focused on a policy goal that she sees as more important than regaining control of the House.
(CARTOONS: Matt Wuerker on immigration)
Its the biggest thing that we can do, and thats why Ive said to the speaker, to the press, to these groups, I would rather pass [a] comprehensive immigration reform bill than win the elections in November, Pelosi said during the 30-minute interview. Theres nothing we could accomplish in winning that would be as big as passing immigration reform.
Immigration reform is also an issue that energizes key Democratic constituencies that could help the party turn out its base in a difficult midterm year.
But the political dynamics in Pelosis own party can be complicated. In recent weeks, immigration reform advocates have leveled increasing pressure on President Barack Obama to do more to stem the rising number of deportations under his administration.
She endorses a recommendation from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus that calls on the administration to shield immigrants here illegally from being removed from the United States if they would qualify for legalization under the Gang of Eight bill that passed the Senate last summer.
(PHOTOS: An immigration naturalization ceremony)
More: