Pelosi: Senate Moves Slower than Glaciers Melt

Politico's Glenn Thrush has reported a great little quote from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who reportedly confronted Senate leaders over their relative inaction during a White House meeting with President Obama Tuesday.

Democrats in the House last year took a tough vote to pass a climate and energy bill, one that could cost vulnerable Democrats in the fall midterms. Senate Democrats, unable to overcome unified GOP opposition (as well as some opposition from within their own caucus), subsequently dropped efforts to pass the bill, angering House Democrats who feared they stuck their necks out for nothing.

Senate Democrats say they could still take the comprehensive bill up again later this year, and President Obama yesterday pushed them to do so. They plan to pass a more limited climate bill before the August recess.

According to Thrush, who cites unnamed staffers and aides briefed about the meeting or working from notes, Pelosi said she didn't regret holding a vote on the bill last year and maintained that it would not be a pointless exercise.

But that didn't mean she didn't flash some frustration. Turning to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to complain about their inability to pass the bill, Pelosi reportedly had this to say: "The Senate is moving at a glacial pace, slower than the glaciers are actually melting."