Transcript of Pelosi Interview on Telemundo’s Noticias Telemundo

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined Julio Vaqueiro on Telemundo's Noticias Telemundo to discuss the Democratic agenda, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other news of the day. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Julio Vaqueiro. From Washington, D.C., where this afternoon we spoke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We talked about the State of the Union, President Biden, and of course, the overarching theme: the war in Ukraine and the role of the United States in this conflict.

Speaker Pelosi. And I am very proud of the patriotism of the Latino community, and our country is very well-served in so many ways. No, I don't see any situation where our troops would be on the ground in Ukraine. It is not a NATO country. We have no obligation to go in. And quite frankly, what Putin is doing is to try to provoke us, which would be the start of World War III.

Julio Vaqueiro. Now, a lot of critics of this Administration believe that Putin is doing this because he sees Democrats as weak and that this would not have happened with the former President. What do you say to that?

Speaker Pelosi. I think that is completely wrong and upside down. Putin is doing this because he sees democracy as strong. He sees the people of Ukraine embracing freedom. They fought for it, that they thrive in it. And he did not want the people of Russia to see a thriving democracy right across the border, some of them speaking Russian. And it had nothing to do with – I don't want to get into it, whatever the Russians may have on the former president, President Trump. I don't know if it's political, whether it's financial, whether – or whatever it might be, but it was not a wholesome relationship.

Julio Vaqueiro. Now, let me move on to the State of the Union, tonight. So President Biden's numbers are down. What do you think he needs to do tonight if anything, to change things?

Speaker Pelosi. Well, tonight is a pivotal moment. This is his first State of the Union address. Last year he made a Joint Session, that first year but now it's the State of the Union address. And I believe that he will be able to pass on a message of confidence to the American people in terms of what he has done – 6.6 million jobs, reducing the unemployment rate, doing so many things to diminish the rate of COVID.

But people still have their kitchen table concerns: the cost of living, food, rent, their pensions, education of their children. And I think his message has to be one of confidence, but one of also empathy to those families and what they are still suffering – some of it still left over from COVID.

Julio Vaqueiro. Now, what about immigration reform? Because it's – it's the second time that the Democrats control the House, the Senate and the White House, and we have not seen any immigration reform. And I have to say that there is frustration in the community, and activists feel frustrated.

Speaker Pelosi. Well, they should take out some of their frustrations on the Republicans – because in order to get immigration reform, we need 60 votes in the Senate. Now, we have passed the Promise – the Dreamer and Promise Act, to protect our Dreamers. We passed the Farm [Workforce Modernization] bill to include many more people in legalization.

Julio Vaqueiro. Now – we still have time before the session of the Congress ends. So will you be willing to push for immigration reform in the coming months?

Speaker Pelosi. Sure, absolutely. We always have.

Julio Vaqueiro. I mean, something that the Republicans might be willing to approve?

Speaker Pelosi. Well, it depends on what they want to approve. We want to respect what immigration brings to America, which is the constant reinvigoration of our country.

Julio Vaqueiro. Well, Nancy Pelosi came to Congress in 1987. She has seen it all in these 35 years, and now she is preparing for her speech tonight here at the Capitol. We are also preparing for it. So we look forward to it.